U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees accused of database misuse

Internal records obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests reveal that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees and contractors were accused of misusing sensitive government databases for personal reasons between 2009 and 2022.

The allegations include using law enforcement tools to track romantic interests, former partners, neighbors, and coworkers. Specific instances involve officers using databases to contact flight attendants, accessing trusted-traveler information to ask individuals out, and monitoring an ex-spouse’s schedule during a harassment campaign.

Beyond personal snooping, some records suggest more serious misconduct, including allegations that sensitive information was provided to suspected smugglers or drug traffickers. One case involved a Department of Homeland Security employee allegedly using ad-tech-derived location data to track the cell phones of coworkers.

Of the nearly 300 data-related entries identified, 138 were referred to CBP management for review, and 78 were assigned to criminal investigators. While many cases were investigated, the outcomes for several remain undisclosed due to privacy laws and withheld information.