The Pentagon has acknowledged reports that U.S. military personnel are being targeted by foreign actors using commercially available location data, according to Reuters reporting published in May 2026.
The U.S. data broker industry generates an estimated $200 billion in annual revenue, with hundreds of firms aggregating and reselling consumer location, browsing, and purchase data.
There is no comprehensive federal law specifically regulating the sale of location data; protections exist in sector-specific statutes such as HIPAA and in state laws including the California Consumer Privacy Act.
Supporters of restrictions argue that adversaries can purchase commercial data to identify service members, intelligence officers, and sensitive facilities; opponents argue that broad bans could hamper legitimate advertising, navigation, and emergency-services industries.
The Fourth Amendment is Not For Sale Act, which would bar federal agencies from purchasing data they would otherwise need a warrant to obtain, passed the House in 2024 but has not become law.