Portland, OR – A new investigation by Senator Ron Wyden’s office has revealed troubling implications of location tracking data being used to target individuals seeking reproductive health services. The investigation focused on Near Intelligence Inc. after it was discovered that an anti-abortion group had utilized data from the company to identify individuals who had visited reproductive clinics.
In the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, concerns have been raised about the potential use of location tracking data to target and potentially prosecute individuals seeking abortion services, as well as the healthcare professionals providing these services. This has led to fears that officials in states with anti-abortion laws could use this data to infringe upon individuals’ reproductive rights.
Senator Wyden expressed concern about the misuse of location data, warning that if extremists can use it to target individuals with misinformation, then law enforcement officials could use the same information to prosecute individuals seeking abortion services. Near Intelligence Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December, prompting Wyden to call upon the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to intervene and ensure that all location and device data held by the company about Americans is promptly destroyed and not sold to another data broker.
The use of location data to target individuals seeking abortions has generated growing anxieties, despite assurances from tech companies that such information would be erased. For instance, Google had promised to delete the location data of consumers visiting reproductive clinics; however, a recent study by the nonprofit Accountable Tech found that this only occurred about 50 percent of the time. This indicates that individuals seeking abortion services could still be at risk of having their location data retained by tech companies, potentially putting them in danger of prosecution.
The findings of Senator Wyden’s investigation highlight the urgent need for regulatory intervention to protect individuals’ privacy and ensure that their sensitive location data is not exploited for targeting or prosecution purposes. As technology continues to advance, it is crucial for lawmakers and regulatory bodies to address the potential harmful consequences of the misuse of location data and safeguard individuals’ rights to privacy and reproductive healthcare.