ICE Asks Companies About ‘Ad Tech and Big Data’ Tools It Could Use in Investigations | WIREDSkip to main contentMenuSECURITYPOLITICSTHE BIG STORYBUSINESSSCIENCECULTUREREVIEWSMenuAccountAccountNewslettersSecurityPoliticsThe Big StoryBusinessScienceCultureReviewsChevronMoreExpandThe Big InterviewMagazineEventsWIRED InsiderWIRED ConsultingNewslettersPodcastsVideoMerchSearchSearchSign InSign InCaroline HaskinsSecurityJan 24, 2026 5:14 PMICE Asks Companies About ‘Ad Tech and Big Data’ Tools It Could Use in InvestigationsA new federal filing from ICE demonstrates how commercial tools are increasingly being considered by the government for law enforcement and surveillance.Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/Getty ImagesSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this storyUS Immigration and Customs Enforcement is asking companies to provide information about “commercial Big Data and Ad Tech” products that would “directly support investigations activities,” according to a request for information posted on Friday in the Federal Register, the US government’s official journal for agency notices, rulemaking, and other public filings.The posting says that ICE is “working with increasing volumes of criminal, civil, and regulatory, administrative documentation from numerous internal and external sources.” The agency frames the request as a way to survey what tools are currently available to help manage and analyze the information ICE has, saying it is looking at “existing and emerging” products that are “comparable to large providers of investigative data and legal/risk analytics.”In addition, the entry says “the Government is seeking to understand the current state of Ad Tech compliant and location data services available to federal investigative and operational entities, considering regulatory constraints and privacy expectations of support investigations activities.” The filing offers little detail beyond that broad description: It does not spell out which regulations or privacy standards would apply, nor does it name any specific “Big Data and Ad Tech” services or vendors ICE is interested in.The entry appears to be the first time that the term “ad tech” has appeared in a request for information, contract solicitation, or contract justification posted by ICE in the Federal Registry, according to searches by WIRED. The request underscores how tools originally developed for digital advertising and other commercial purposes are increasingly being considered for use by the government for law enforcement and surveillance.In an unsigned statement emailed to WIRED, ICE stressed that the filing was solely for information and planning purposes. “Law enforcement across the nation leverages technological innovation to fight crime. ICE is no different,” the statement reads. ICE said it uses technology to support investigations and to aid in the arrest of criminals, “all while respecting civil liberties and privacy interests.”The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Got a Tip?Are you a current or former government employee who wants to talk about ICE's technology? We'd like to hear from you. Using a nonwork phone or computer, contact the reporter securely on Signal at carolinehaskins.61.ICE has previously used the term “big data” in a contract justification for Palantir to provide “unlimited operations and maintenance support of the FALCON system” and unlimited licenses for “Palantir Gotham.” Gotham is Palantir’s off-the-shelf investigative tool for law enforcement. The company provides a custom version of Gotham to ICE known as the “Investigative Case Management” system. FALCON is a tool within the customized Palantir system that ICE uses to "store, search, analyze, and visualize volumes of existing information" about current and former investigations.ICE has also previously purchased products that provide mobile location data, which is sometimes among the information provided by companies that buy and sell information collected for online advertising. Ad tech data can include details about the device and apps a person is using, where they are located, and their browsing activity, among other information.ICE has purchased commercial location data obtained from Webloc, a tool sold by the company Penlink. Webloc allows a user to collect information about the mobile phones being used within a specific area during a particular time period. Users have the ability to filter the devices displayed according to criteria such as whether their location was gathered via “GPS, WiFi, or IP address,” or by their “Apple and Android advertising identifiers,” according to reporting by 404 Media,In several recent years, ICE has also purchased licenses to use Venntel, a data broker and subsidiary of the firm Gravy Analytics that collects and sells consumer location data. In a Federal Registry entry closing out a contract with Venntel last year, ICE reported that its Enforcement and Removal Operations division had used the company’s software “to access/gain information to accurately identify digital devices.”The Federal Trade Commission alleged in 2024 that Venntel sold sensitive consumer location data without getting proper consent from people for commercial and government purposes. The FTC later barred Gravy Analytics and Venntel “from selling, disclosing, or using sensitive location data except in limited circumstances involving national security or law enforcement.” (Gravy Analytics did not admit nor deny any of the allegations made by the FTC.)ICE’s request for information comes amid an escalating federal response to protests in Minneapolis against immigration enforcement operations carried out jointly by ICE and Customs and Border Protection. On Saturday morning, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident named Alex Pretti was shot and killed by a CBP officer as federal agents attempted to detain him. He may have been filming the officers prior to the shooting. Details about the incident are still emerging.Updated: 1/24/2026, 3:20 pm PST: This story has been updated with comment from ICE.You Might Also LikeIn your inbox: The biggest tech news coming out of ChinaThe real AI talent war is for plumbers and electriciansBig Story: How ICE uprooted normal life in MinneapolisDumbphone owners have lost their mindsListen: Wikipedia’s founder on the threats to its futureCaroline Haskins is a business reporter at WIRED, covering Silicon Valley, surveillance, and labor. She was previously a staff reporter at Business Insider, BuzzFeed News, and Vice's Motherboard, as well as a research editor at Business Insider. Send tips to carolinehaskins.61 on Signal. ... 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ICE’s burgeoning interest in “ad tech and big data” tools represents a significant shift in the agency’s operational approach, reflecting a broader trend of governmental agencies leveraging commercial technologies for law enforcement and surveillance purposes. This recent Federal Registry filing, initiated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), demonstrates a deliberate effort to survey and potentially integrate these tools into its investigative activities. The core of the request centers on identifying existing and emerging technologies capable of managing and analyzing the increasing volumes of criminal, civil, and regulatory documentation that ICE now handles. This move underscores the immense data challenges inherent in modern law enforcement, particularly concerning the multifaceted nature of immigration enforcement operations.

The agency’s framing of the request highlights a critical need to manage a “growing volume of information” extracted from a range of sources – internal and external. This indicates a significant expansion in ICE's data intake, stemming from diverse sources, and the subsequent necessity for sophisticated analytical capabilities. The explicit mention of "ad tech" – a term rarely utilized in legal or regulatory contexts – elevates a previously understated area of concern, acknowledging the increasing availability of location data and behavioral data through commercial tracking systems. This illustrates a proactive, if somewhat opaque, attempt to anticipate and address the technological landscape impacting immigration investigations.

Specifically, ICE is seeking products that could assist in the handling, analysis, and visualization of this information. The agency’s exploration of “large providers of investigative data and legal/risk analytics” suggests a reliance on commercial solutions designed to aggregate and interpret complex data sets in ways that traditional law enforcement methods might struggle to achieve. This reflects a recognition that vast amounts of data, when properly processed, can reveal patterns and connections that could be crucial to investigations. Furthermore, the focus on “location data services,” including compliant and privacy-respecting Ad Tech, signals ICE’s recognition of the utility of pinpointing individuals' movements and relationships.

However, the filing provides limited detail regarding the specific regulatory constraints or privacy expectations that would govern the use of these technologies. This ambiguity raises immediate concerns regarding potential privacy violations and the extent to which ICE’s activities may be subject to oversight. The lack of explicitly stated regulations regarding the application of "ad tech" – including data collection methods, permissible uses, and mitigation strategies – is a notable omission. It begs the question of how ICE intends to balance the pursuit of investigative leads with the safeguarding of individual rights and freedoms.

Previous instances of ICE utilizing Palantir Technologies, including the implementation of Falcon (now known as the Investigative Case Management system) and Gotham, further illuminate this trend. These partnerships demonstrate a willingness to embrace sophisticated, commercially-supported investigative tools, often customizable to address specific agency needs. However, these relationships have also been subject to scrutiny regarding data security, oversight, and potential biases inherent in the algorithms employed.

The agency’s interest in commercial location data, particularly through Webloc and Venntel (now Gravy Analytics), highlights another critical area of concern. The procurement of location data – often obtained through tracking individuals’ movements via mobile devices – represents a powerful investigative tool. But it also raises serious questions about surveillance practices, particularly concerning the potential for profiling and targeting based on inferred behaviors and associations. The FTC’s recent action against Gravy Analytics, barring them from selling sensitive location data without explicit consent, underscores the growing legal and ethical challenges associated with the collection and use of such information.

Ultimately, ICE’s request for information regarding “ad tech and big data” tools represents a pivotal moment. It indicates a significant escalation in the agency’s commitment to leveraging technological power for law enforcement. The agency’s actions simultaneously expose vulnerabilities regarding data protection, privacy expectations, and the need for rigorous oversight. The lack of clear regulatory guidance associated with this initiative necessitates careful consideration and implementation to avoid unintended consequences and ensure that technological advancements are utilized responsibly and ethically within the context of immigration enforcement.