US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a request for companies to share information on commercial big data and advertising technology tools. These products could assist in investigative activities, as outlined in a recent federal filing. The move highlights growing government interest in private-sector surveillance capabilities.
On Friday, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) published a request for information in the Federal Register, the official US government journal for notices and rulemaking. The agency seeks details from companies about “commercial Big Data and Ad Tech” products designed to “directly support investigations activities.” This filing underscores how law enforcement is increasingly eyeing commercial tools for surveillance purposes, including geo-location and advertising-based tracking linked to keywords like privacy and location data, with a mention of Minnesota in related contexts. A description of the filing notes that it demonstrates the expanding consideration of such technologies by the government. The request aims to gather insights into tools that could enhance ICE's operational capabilities in immigration and customs enforcement. While specifics on potential uses remain limited in the public notice, the initiative raises questions about the intersection of private tech and public security.