US Customs and Border Protection officers allegedly misused government surveillance databases to monitor relatives, pursue romantic interests and share information with suspected drug traffickers, according to FOIA documents reviewed by Wired. The allegations raise concerns about oversight and privacy as the Department of Homeland Security expands its access to sensitive personal data.

The records cover 2009 to 2022 and describe roughly 300 incidents, including alleged use of flight, trusted-traveller, border-crossing and mobile-location data for personal purposes. Wired reported that 138 cases went to CBP management, 78 to criminal investigators and 43 were not investigated; 21 records were withheld because of possible law-enforcement proceedings. CBP said it takes misconduct allegations seriously and takes appropriate investigatory, corrective and disciplinary action.