Trending Now - FBI Acquires Location Data to Monitor US Citizens

WHO:

FBI Director Kash Patel

WHAT:

The FBI is actively purchasing commercially available location data to track U.S. citizens without needing a warrant.

WHEN:

The confirmation of this practice was made on March 18th, 2026.

WHY:

The FBI's motivation for purchasing location data is to enhance its ability to monitor citizens.

HOW:

The FBI is acquiring data from commercial sources that provide location tracking capabilities.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 19:27 UTC)

Today, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the agency is actively purchasing commercially available location data to track U.S. citizens without needing a warrant. This practice, aimed at enhancing the FBI's ability to monitor citizens, was disclosed on March 18, 2026. The FBI is acquiring this data from commercial sources that specialize in location tracking capabilities.