CBP Database Misuse Allegations

Freedom of Information Act and internal oversight records describe nearly 300 allegations that Customs and Border Protection employees and contractors misused sensitive databases and surveillance data over more than a decade.

Alleged conduct included tracking romantic interests and relatives, exposing border-crossing information, sharing intelligence with suspected criminal networks, and using commercial location data for improper monitoring. The records highlight privacy and insider-threat risks associated with broad access to travel, immigration, biometric, watch-list, license-plate, and facial-recognition systems, while many case outcomes remain unclear.