Data brokers selling location info that can be used to track EU officials, report finds
European journalists revealed that it was relatively easy to purchase or access location data related to European Commission staff through free datasets offered by data brokers. The findings have raised concerns about the effectiveness of Europe’s strict privacy regulations.
“Officials are concerned with the trade of geolocation data from citizens and Commission officials,” said a spokesperson for the European Commission.
The investigation, released on Tuesday by a coalition of European news outlets, analyzed datasets containing around 5,800 GPS points linked to 756 devices inside the European Parliament. Another sample showed roughly 2,000 location pings from 264 devices at the European Commission’s headquarters.
According to the journalists, the leaked data even included location histories for senior EU officials. One detailed “movement profile” revealed a Parliament employee’s daily commute, including stops at local venues such as a restaurant and supermarket.
The Commission spokesperson added that the institution had provided new internal guidance on turning off ad-tracking functions and notified national Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) about the situation.
Author’s Summary
Reporters uncovered how data brokers sold datasets exposing EU employees’ movements, sparking privacy concerns and prompting the European Commission to respond with stricter data-protection measures.