← All storiesTechnologyDeveloping story

The FBI confirms it's buying Americans' location data - Engadget

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. During a Senate hearing, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that his agency has bought information that could be used to track individuals' movement and location. "We do purchase commercially available information that's consistent with the Constitution and the laws under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and it has led to some valuable intelligence for us," he said. Law enforcement is required to obtain a warrant in order to get location data from cell service providers following the Carpenter v United States ruling from 2018. But why bother with all that hassle when they can just buy the information from the open market? "Doing that without a warrant is an outrageous end run around the Fourth Amendment, it's particularly dangerous given the use of artificial intelligence to comb through massive amounts of private information," Sen. Ron Wyden, (D-Ore.) said during the Intelligence Committee hearing. Wyden is one of several lawmakers pushing for an overhaul of when and how the government can obtain citizens' personal information. It's an overhaul that's badly needed. Patel already has a history of dubious use of gove

15
updates in timeline
5
distinct sources
13 days
story span
Apr 1, 2026
latest update

Mar 18, 2026 → Apr 1, 2026

LATEST DEVELOPMENT
Apr 1, 2026·CNNT2 · Outlet report
North Korean hackers bug software used by thousands of US companies in potential crypto heist attempt | CNN Politics

Suspected North Korean hackers have bugged a software package that has been used by thousands of US companies in a major supply-chain attack that could take months to recover from, security experts said Tuesday. Experts who are responding…

Read original at CNN →
ACTIVITY · UPDATES PER MONTH
Mar 26
Apr 26

15 updates from 5 sources over 13 days.

Showing 15 of 15 updates

Timeline (15 updates)

April 2026

1 update
Apr 1, 2026·CNNT2 · Outlet reportLATEST
North Korean hackers bug software used by thousands of US companies in potential crypto heist attempt | CNN Politics

Suspected North Korean hackers have bugged a software package that has been used by thousands of US companies in a major supply-chain attack that could take months to recover from, security experts said Tuesday. Experts…

Read original at CNN →

March 2026

14 updates
Mar 31, 2026·The GuardianT2 · Outlet report
Ex-FBI agents who worked on Trump cases sue agency and DoJ over firings

Class-action suit against FBI and justice department alleges agents were wrongfully terminated for investigating Trump Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Three former FBI…

Read original at The Guardian →
Mar 31, 2026·CNNT2 · Outlet report
FBI agents who worked on Trump election probe sue, saying they were unjustly fired | CNN Politics

FBI agents who say they were summarily fired for investigating President Donald Trump following his first term have filed a class-action lawsuit arguing they were improperly dismissed from the agency. The lawsuit…

Read original at CNN →
Mar 30, 2026·The GuardianT2 · Outlet reportKEY MOMENT
Democrats decry ‘smear’ as Trump FBI pushes for release of Eric Swalwell file

California governor contender not accused of wrongdoing in decade-old inquiry into suspected Chinese agent The Trump administration has reportedly been pushing to release records from an FBI investigation related to…

Read original at The Guardian →
Mar 29, 2026·Fox NewsT2 · Outlet report
FBI email hack shows why you must lock down your tech

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by…

Read original at Fox News →
Mar 27, 2026·The GuardianT2 · Outlet report
FBI director’s personal email, photos and documents leaked by Iran-linked hackers

The Handala Hack Team published more than 300 emails from Kash Patel’s inbox between 2010 and 2019 Iran-linked hackers have broken into the personal email inbox of Kash Patel, FBI’s director, publishing photographs…

Read original at The Guardian →
Mar 27, 2026·EngadgetT2 · Outlet report
Kash Patel's personal email account was accessed by hackers linked to Iran - Engadget

The group, Handala, also claimed to have hacked a medical devices company earlier in March. A hacking group called Handala has gained access to FBI Director Kash Patel's email account, Reuters reports. The group…

Read original at Engadget →
Mar 25, 2026·Fox NewsT2 · Outlet reportKEY MOMENT
DAVID MARCUS: Why are we letting foreign foes use X payouts to wage war against us?

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by…

Read original at Fox News →
Mar 24, 2026·The VergeT2 · Outlet report
What if insider trading is actually treason?

Hey, remember that weird trade The Financial Times highlighted? The one about oil? Paul Krugman doesn’t like it — nor does he like the weird Venezuela trade or the one about death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. I’ve written…

Read original at The Verge →
Mar 24, 2026·Fox NewsT2 · Outlet report
Jack Smith team secretly sought years of Kash Patel phone records, new docs show

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by…

Read original at Fox News →
Mar 24, 2026·Fox NewsT2 · Outlet reportKEY MOMENT
Education Department loses biggest budget item in Trump shutdown push and more top headlines

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by…

Read original at Fox News →
Mar 19, 2026·CNNT2 · Outlet report
Justice Department seizes several websites it says spread terrorist propaganda | CNN Politics

The Justice Department on Thursday seized several websites it says were used by Iran as part of “psychological operations” targeting perceived advisories and spreading terrorist propaganda. Iran’s Ministry of…

Read original at CNN →
Mar 19, 2026·EngadgetT2 · Outlet report
Don’t be surprised that the FBI is buying your location data - Engadget

The same data used for ad targeting helps it skirt the Fourth Amendment. We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. The FBI has confirmed to the Senate it is once again buying data which can be used to…

Read original at Engadget →
Mar 18, 2026·The GuardianT2 · Outlet report
Kash Patel admits under oath FBI is buying location data on Americans

Admission came during questioning at Senate intelligence committee worldwide threats hearing The Federal Bureau of Investigation has started buying location data on Americans, Kash Patel, FBI director, said under oath…

Read original at The Guardian →
Mar 18, 2026·EngadgetT2 · Outlet reportOPENING
The FBI confirms it's buying Americans' location data - Engadget

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. During a Senate hearing, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that his agency has bought information that could be used to track individuals' movement and location.…

Read original at Engadget →

Sources & evidence (15)

What this story stands on. Tier 0 is a primary record or the subject's own words; higher tiers must be attributed, never stated as bare fact.

T2 · Outlet report× 15
COVERAGE BY SOURCE
The Guardian 4Fox News 4Engadget 3CNN 3The Verge 1
STRONGEST EVIDENCE
T2 · Outlet reportCNNApr 1, 2026

Suspected North Korean hackers have bugged a software package that has been used by thousands of US companies in a major supply-chain attack that could take months to recover from, security experts said Tuesday. Experts who are responding…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportThe GuardianMar 31, 2026

Class-action suit against FBI and justice department alleges agents were wrongfully terminated for investigating Trump Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Three former FBI agents filed a…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportCNNMar 31, 2026

FBI agents who say they were summarily fired for investigating President Donald Trump following his first term have filed a class-action lawsuit arguing they were improperly dismissed from the agency. The lawsuit demands the three agents…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportThe GuardianMar 30, 2026

California governor contender not accused of wrongdoing in decade-old inquiry into suspected Chinese agent The Trump administration has reportedly been pushing to release records from an FBI investigation related to Eric Swalwell and…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportFox NewsMar 29, 2026

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportThe GuardianMar 27, 2026

The Handala Hack Team published more than 300 emails from Kash Patel’s inbox between 2010 and 2019 Iran-linked hackers have broken into the personal email inbox of Kash Patel, FBI’s director, publishing photographs of him and other…

View source →

Tier key: T0 = Primary source · T1 = Wire · T2 = Outlet report · T3 = Commentary

Related stories

TechnologyT2 · Outlet report

US supreme court rejects Republican-drawn midterm map in Missouri for third time – as it happened

Long-running fight over Trump-backed maps takes another turn as absentee voting is already under way in Missouri. This blog is now closed. Sign up for US Breaking News emails Xi…

13 updates3 sources9 days long
Sep 26, 2026 → Oct 5, 2026
Latest: Trump Hits Campaign Trail as GOP Support Slips · Bloomberg
TechnologyT2 · Outlet report

Trump unveils his new Super Intelligence Force

This new task force is Trump's latest response to the debate over AI safety.

3 updates3 sources1 day long
Oct 4, 2026 → Oct 5, 2026
Latest: Trump unveils 'Super Intelligence Force' to oversee AI policy · BBC
PoliticsT2 · Outlet report

US Visa Ban Hits Judge at Center of Chinese Port Dispute in Peru

The Trump administration’s decision to revoke the visa of a Peruvian judge who sided with a Chinese company in a port dispute puts a new spotlight on the growing US-China rivalry…

2 updates1 source3 days long
Oct 1, 2026 → Oct 4, 2026
Latest: Bolsonaro Surges to Lead as Brazil Swings to the Right · Bloomberg
PoliticsT2 · Outlet report

Bosnia Election: Donald Trump’s Promises Foster Rare Unity

As Bosnians vote in an election this weekend, the country is embracing the US president’s family and friends.

2 updates1 source
Oct 4, 2026
Latest: Pro-Russia Dodik Hails Trump as Allies Win in Bosnia Vote · Bloomberg
TechnologyT2 · Outlet report

Can ‘super intelligence’ and a non-binding safety pact solve AI’s image problem?

On Equity, we discussed the Trump administration's attempts to rebrand AI.

1 update1 source
Oct 4, 2026
Latest: Can ‘super intelligence’ and a non-binding safety pact solve AI’s image problem? · TechCrunch
PoliticsT2 · Outlet report

US Policy on Taiwan Unchanged After Xi Visit, Perdue Says

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping discuss Taiwan arms sales every time they get together but the American stance on the self-ruled island remains unchanged following the Chinese…

3 updates1 source7 days long
Sep 27, 2026 → Oct 4, 2026
Latest: Taiwan’s Envoy Prods Trump Administration on Stalled Arms Sale · Bloomberg