Beyond Creepy Ads: How Data Brokers Enable Government Surveillance and What You Can Do
The Bigger Picture of Online Tracking
Millions rely on EFF's Privacy Badger extension to block hidden trackers that turn browsing habits into a commodity. While that helps stop creepy ads and profiling, a far greater threat lurks. Commercial surveillance doesn't just invade your privacy for profit—it also fuels government spying. Weak privacy laws allow data brokers to sell your sensitive information to law enforcement agencies like the FBI, CBP, and ICE, often without a warrant. This means your location history, browsing records, and personal communications can end up in government hands simply because you visited a website or used an app.
How Commercial Surveillance Feeds Government Spying
Data brokers harvest vast amounts of information from online trackers, mobile apps, and even connected devices. They then package and sell this data to anyone willing to pay, including law enforcement. Agencies exploit this loophole to bypass constitutional protections—they can buy your location data over days or weeks without ever obtaining a warrant. This practice undermines the Fourth Amendment and turns everyday digital activity into a surveillance tool. The problem isn't just unethical; it's a systemic risk to privacy and civil liberties.
EFF's Multifaceted Fight for Your Privacy
The Electronic Frontier Foundation is tackling this issue from multiple angles. Our team works to enact stronger privacy laws that close the data broker loophole and require warrants for all government access to personal data. We also advocate in courts, challenging surveillance programs and defending consumer rights. Investigations reveal how these technologies impact communities, while tools like Privacy Badger cut off the data flow at its source—blocking trackers before they can collect information.
Legislative and Legal Efforts
We push for bills that restrict warrantless data purchases and demand transparency in government surveillance contracts. In litigation, we challenge overbroad surveillance practices and fight for accountability. These efforts aim to create a legal framework where privacy is the default, not an afterthought.
Community Education and Tools
Privacy Badger is just one part of a broader strategy. We also educate the public about the links between commercial and government surveillance, and we develop resources to help people protect themselves. Our investigations expose the harm caused by mass spying and the twisted logic used to justify it.
Why Privacy Matters More Than Ever
Privacy is a human right because it provides security and freedom—the ability to have private conversations, express dissenting opinions, and live without constant monitoring. When tools we rely on serve corporate surveillance, they automatically feed government surveillance. Mass spying is used to control and intimidate people, especially marginalized communities. Fighting it isn't just about convenience; it's about protecting democracy itself.
Join the Fight and Get Rewarded
For a limited time, you can support EFF's mission as a monthly or one-time donor and receive exclusive gear. The Privacy Badger Crewneck features an embroidered badger mascot above Traditional Chinese characters for 'privacy'—a reminder that rights are universal. You'll also get a set of puffy stickers featuring Ghostie, a small character protecting privacy in Arabic, English, Japanese, Persian, Russian, and Spanish.
This year's Claw Back! T-shirt shows an orange cat swatting at street-level surveillance equipment multiplying in our communities. It's a playful image with a serious message: we need to end law enforcement contracts, harmful practices, and the twisted logic that enables mass spying. Instead of just empathizing, take action by joining EFF.
How You Can Help
Become an EFF member today. Your support funds the work described above—lawsuits, advocacy, investigations, and tools. Every donation, whether one-time or recurring, helps us claw back your privacy. EFF is a member-supported 501(c)(3) charity, and we've earned top ratings from Charity Navigator since 2013. Your contribution is tax-deductible as allowed by law.