DHS abuses 1930s customs law in attempt to get data on Canadian from Google

DHS has used a 1930s-era customs summons authority to seek Google data tied to a Canadian, reviving privacy and oversight concerns.

Civil liberties groups, lawmakers, and tech companies say the tool can enable broad demands for sensitive user information.

The issue follows reports of hundreds of recent subpoenas, an EFF records lawsuit, and findings that DHS units often broke internal rules.

Critics argue the case shows how outdated legal powers can expand U.S. surveillance reach without adequate safeguards.