**Title: EU and US Spy Agencies Increasingly Rely on Commercial Data for Surveillance, Report Reveals**
A recent report published by Interface, a European think tank, highlights a growing trend among intelligence agencies in the European Union and the United States: the procurement of commercially available personal data for surveillance purposes. This practice, termed advertising-based intelligence (AdInt), involves the use of data collected by the advertising industry to enhance intelligence-gathering efforts.
The findings, released on Tuesday, were based on evidence gathered from 11 intelligence watchdogs and indicate that millions of taxpayer dollars are being spent on accessing this type of data. The report emphasizes that commercially available personal data has become a central tool for surveillance, as agencies increasingly turn to technology companies and data brokers for information.
Thorsten Wetzling, one of the authors of the study, explained that national security agencies typically acquire access to a continuous stream of bulk data through commercial vendors. This data encompasses a range of personal information, including unique mobile device identifiers, precise location histories, and detailed profiles of individual app users. Such information can disclose a person’s location, age, gender, political views, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and communication habits.
The data is primarily collected through online advertising auctions, mobile app software, social media platforms, and various internet-connected devices, before being aggregated and sold by data brokers. Originally designed for advertising purposes, these datasets have become increasingly valuable for intelligence and security agencies, which are now viewing them as essential resources.
The report outlines that the scope of AdInt varies, with smaller governments purchasing off-the-shelf intelligence tools, while major intelligence agencies acquire bulk datasets. Some agencies opt to buy data directly from vendors, while others utilize intermediaries or front companies to mask their involvement in these transactions.
Wetzling noted that these practices are not limited to the United States, where the issue has received considerable attention, but are also gaining traction across Europe. The report cites instances of intelligence agencies engaging in the commercial data market, including publicly disclosed data purchases.
In the United States, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has acknowledged purchasing location data obtained from online advertising. Additionally, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has conducted pilot programs to acquire location information through mobile app software and digital advertising systems. An internal report from the Department of Homeland Security has also revealed that certain agencies may have violated federal law by purchasing commercial location data.
In Europe, the report highlights Austria’s Interior Ministry, which has procured a surveillance tool known as Tangles. This tool includes a plug-in capable of analyzing location data derived from advertisements, although officials have not confirmed its active use. Similarly, France's foreign intelligence service has sought permission to purchase internet browsing records, indicating a willingness to tap into commercial data sources for intelligence purposes.
The findings of this report raise significant concerns regarding privacy and the ethical implications of using commercial data for surveillance. As intelligence agencies continue to explore new avenues for information gathering, the balance between national security and individual privacy rights remains a contentious issue.
The growing reliance on commercial data by intelligence agencies poses questions about the extent of surveillance and the potential for misuse of personal information. As these practices evolve, there is an increasing need for oversight and regulation to ensure that the rights of individuals are protected in the face of expanding surveillance capabilities.