The U.S. Government Can Monitor Abortion Travel Using Cell Phone Tracking

Following the overturn of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court, a patchwork of access to medical care exists in the United States — with some states allowing it, others limiting it, and some prohibiting it entirely. This situation has resulted in pregnant individuals crossing state borders to access necessary care, and a newly acquired system by the U.S. government could complicate that process.

The system, known as Locate X, monitors individuals’ movements across the United States without requiring a warrant. With access to extensive data, including locations visited prior to the clinic visit and probable home addresses, it likely involves mass data aggregation. Your phone’s data may also be included. 404 Media witnessed the software in operation:

A demonstration conducted by a group of privacy advocates who gained access to the tool and leaked videos of it to 404 Media and other journalists illustrates vividly how Locate X and other smartphone-location-based tools sold to various U.S. government law enforcement agencies, including state entities, could be utilized to monitor abortion clinic patients. This occurs as more states consider stricter abortion regulations or outright bans. Alabama aims to prosecute those aiding others in getting abortions out-of-state, laws on “abortion trafficking” passed by Idaho and Tennessee have been halted by courts but anti-abortion politicians seek reinstatement, and cities in Texas have contemplated an unconstitutional law prohibiting the use of city roads to travel for abortion services. Recently, Texas attorney general Ken Paxton sued to prevent federal privacy regulations preventing investigators from accessing the medical records of individuals traveling out of state for abortions.

Although Locate X primarily targets abortion access, it has broader applications. 404 Media observed software demonstrations identifying jurors from courthouse parking lots, retrieving devices from places of worship, and even monitoring children’s phones at school — Locate X maintains location data on everyone consistently.

If you are traveling across state lines for an abortion, consider leaving your smartphone at home. Crossing state borders for medical treatment is currently legal, but the longevity of this allowance is uncertain — safeguarding your privacy is crucial. Let’s hope no one taps into all that data from your car next.