The News Meeting How do US immigration agents track people down?
10 snips
Jan 15, 2026 Joining the discussion are Alex O'Connell, Head of News at The Observer, Bex Sander, a data and graphics reporter, and Evan Moffitt, the France editor. They delve into the methods ICE employs to track individuals using AI and data profiling tools like WebLock and Tangles. The conversation highlights the ethical dilemmas surrounding data surveillance and potential constitutional issues. Additionally, they explore how cultural artifacts like the Bayeux Tapestry can serve as diplomatic tools in international relations.
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Large ICE Deployment In Minneapolis
- Minneapolis saw 3,000 federal agents deployed, dwarfing the local police force.
- Evan Moffitt contrasts that to Minneapolis's roughly 600 officers and calls it the largest ICE deployment in history.
ICE's Mass Digital Dragnet
- ICE uses commercial data brokers to build movement profiles of millions of people without telecom warrants.
- Bex Sander says ICE paired this data with AI tools like Tangles to map daily routes and targets.
How Data Brokers Supply Location Intel
- WebLock and similar brokers harvest location data via app advertising and browser trackers without telecom warrants.
- Evan Moffitt explains agents can use that purchased data to intercept people along routine routes.
