US government agencies, including Customs and Border Protection (CBP), are purchasing location data derived from online advertising ecosystems. This data is collected and sold by data brokers and allows agencies to track individuals' movements. Reports confirm that CBP utilizes real-time bidding (RTB) processes, which are integral to serving online ads, to source this information. Agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the FBI have also acquired similar location data in recent years. The process involves ad tech companies collecting device advertising IDs, IP addresses, and GPS coordinates to facilitate ad placement. This data can then be used to connect movements to specific devices, enabling surveillance.
To mitigate this tracking, individuals can take steps to limit data sharing. Disabling ad identifiers on devices is a key measure. On Android, this is found in Settings > Security & privacy > Privacy controls > Ads by tapping Delete advertising ID. For iOS users, disable the advertising ID globally under Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking by toggling off Allow Apps to Request to Track. Additionally, navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Advertising and disable Personalized Ads. Auditing app permissions for location services and disabling precise location sharing is also recommended. For immediate protection, using airplane mode can halt real-time tracking.