Data Broker Tracked Planned Parenthood Visitors for Anti-Abortion Ads, Senator Reveals

An investigation by Senator Ron Wyden revealed that an anti-abortion group used cell phone location data to target visitors of Planned Parenthood clinics nationwide with abortion misinformation. The group used a data broker system to serve social media ads with anti-abortion messaging or misinformation to individuals who had visited Planned Parenthood clinics. This comes amid concerns about data privacy and the weaponization of location data against abortion providers and individuals seeking care. Wyden is urging federal watchdogs to hold the data broker accountable and is calling for Congress to step in to ensure sensitive data cannot be bought without a warrant.