U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) penned a letter to the chairs of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), urging them to take action against a data broker accused of making deceptive statements regarding its involvement in the utilization and commercialization of location data related to reproductive health. In a recent revelation, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden highlighted an alarming misuse of mobile phone location data by an anti-abortion political group, targeting individuals who visited 600 reproductive health clinics across 48 states with misinformation. Concerned about the privacy implications, Wyden has called upon the FTC and the SEC to take immediate action to protect patients’ data and hold the data broker, Near Intelligence, accountable for misleading statements regarding its actions.
The investigation by Wyden gained momentum in 2023 following reports by the Wall Street Journal about The Veritas Society, an anti-abortion organization, using cell phone location data to disseminate misinformation about reproductive health. The data broker, Near Intelligence, not only provided location data to The Veritas Society but also shared Americans’ data with a defense contractor, previously revealed to be supplying information to the Defense Department and U.S. intelligence agencies. Wyden emphasized the urgency of addressing the potential misuse of sensitive data, especially in the wake of the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade. With privacy concerns at the forefront, Wyden called for the destruction of all location and device data held by Near about Americans, ensuring it is not sold during the company’s bankruptcy proceedings. He further urged the SEC to investigate whether Near violated securities laws with misleading statements about its interactions with Congress and the consent obtained for its data collection. “If a data broker could track Americans’ cell phones to help extremists target misinformation to people at hundreds of Planned Parenthood locations across the United States, a right-wing prosecutor could use that same information to put women in jail,” Wyden expressed, highlighting the potential legal ramifications. He emphasized the need for federal watchdogs to hold data brokers accountable for abusing private information and called on Congress to enact measures preventing the purchase of sensitive data without a warrant.
As the U.S. Congress prepares to debate restrictions on the government’s purchase of sensitive information, including location data used by anti-abortion groups, Wyden, along with bipartisan civil liberties groups, has proposed limiting the government’s ability to acquire data without a warrant, addressing concerns about potential privacy infringements. The ongoing discussions in Congress emphasize the importance of enacting pro-privacy reforms that align with the Fourth Amendment and protect citizens from unwarranted surveillance.
Senator Ron Wyden’s recent call to action against the misuse of location data by data broker Near Intelligence is part of a broader initiative to safeguard Americans’ privacy. The revelation that an anti-abortion group used mobile phone location data to target individuals highlights the need for robust privacy measures in as technology and surveillance tactics continue to advance. The investigation into Near Intelligence’s actions has exposed the extent to which sensitive location data can be exploited, not only by political groups but also by defense contractors. Wyden’s insistence on holding the data broker accountable and ensuring the destruction of collected data during bankruptcy proceedings reflects a commitment to protecting citizens’ privacy in the face of emerging threats. As the U.S. Congress contemplates debates on restricting the government’s purchase of sensitive information, including location data, Senator Wyden’s proactive stance aligns with a broader coalition of civil liberties groups advocating for legislative reforms. The proposed limitations on government acquisition of data without a warrant underscore the need to balance national security concerns with protecting individual rights. The ongoing discussions in Congress emphasize the importance of enacting comprehensive pro-privacy reforms that address the challenges presented by technological advancements. Senator Wyden, along with bipartisan supporters, aims to establish safeguards that uphold constitutional rights, ensuring that citizens are shielded from unwarranted surveillance and data misuse.
