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It’s no secret that application data can reach researchers without much supervision, but you might be surprised by who buys the data. Request for Tech Group Intercept and Advocacy has learned that the US Ministry of Finance has recently bought sensitive application data from Babylon Street, the same company that submits info to secret services and other agencies. The department spent more than $ 300,000 in two contracts in the last four months to collect data after investigation.
One contract, an official made in July 2021, gave the Office of Control of Foreign Assets (OFAC) access to the cellular application data from the X Babel Street tool. Info will help the OFAC target people and enforce international sanctions, according to the contract. As you would expect, there were concerns, the office effectively avoided restrictions on the search for the fourth amendment. Technical data is technically anonymous, but is relatively easy for investigators to link data to individuals.
Other contracts, starting September 2021, provide internal income services tool that scraps information from “public digital media records.” This software will theoretically help the IRS capture tax evaders through online activities such as social media posts and forum conversations. Although legal to see the content, the Ministry of Finance wants Babel Street to provide “bio-metrics data” such as addresses and marital status that can create a detailed profile.
Concerns not only that Treasury can avoid the fourth amendment by getting some data (especially location) without a warrant. This is also an expansion of “invasive supervision,” the founder of Jack Poulson’s technology investigation into the Intercept. Instead of increasing its efforts, the US government stepped up.
We have asked for comments for comments. There is no guarantee it will retreat. With that word, Senator Ron Wyden and others encourage laws that will need a court order to purchase this data. If the bill like the fourth amendment is not for sales measures ever becoming a law, the government needs at least a basic legal test to buy this sensitive material – even if the official does not require your knowledge.
