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Data Broker Sold Planned Parenthood Visit Data to Anti-Abortion Group, Sparking Outrage

Senator Ron Wyden calls for federal action after a U.S. company tracked and sold data from 600 Planned Parenthood locations to the Veritas Society, used for a massive anti-abortion ad campaign.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) speaks with reporters in the Senate subway at the U.S. Capitol on September 11, 2023 in Washington, DC. Wyden sent a letter to the FTC and SEC on Feb. 13, 2024 asking for extra scrutiny on a data intelligence company after he found it had sold location data for people who visiting reproductive health clinics. visited
Planned Parenthood signage is seen in the Financial District neighborhood of Manhattan on April 16, 2021, in New York City.
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Overview

  • A U.S. data broker tracked visits to 600 Planned Parenthood locations across 48 states and sold the data to the Veritas Society for an anti-abortion ad campaign.
  • Senator Ron Wyden's investigation revealed the company, Near, sold location data without consent, violating privacy and potentially federal laws.
  • The FTC and SEC have been urged to investigate Near for potential violations, as the company also faces a criminal investigation for fraud.
  • Near announced bankruptcy in December 2023, with plans to sell its business, raising concerns about the further misuse of collected data.
  • Legislation such as the Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act is proposed to strengthen privacy protections and prevent the sale of sensitive data without a warrant.