ICE Explores Big Data and Ad Tech to Power Future Investigations

A new federal notice shows how everyday commercial data tools are moving closer to the heart of US law enforcement.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is taking a fresh look at how commercial data tools could support its investigative work. A new filing published in the Federal Register reveals that the agency is asking private companies to share details about “Big Data” and advertising technology products that could help with investigations.

The request is not a contract or a purchase, at least not yet. Instead, it is a fact-finding step. ICE wants to understand what tools already exist in the commercial market and how they might be used to analyze large amounts of data quickly and efficiently. These are the same types of technologies widely used by businesses to track trends, understand customer behavior, and target advertising.

According to the filing, ICE is interested in tools that can bring together data from multiple sources, spot patterns, and generate insights that could support enforcement activities. This signals a growing interest within government agencies in using private-sector technology rather than building everything in-house.

The move also highlights a broader shift in modern law enforcement. As data becomes central to daily life, from mobile apps to online ads, government agencies are increasingly exploring how this information can be used in investigations. Supporters argue that such tools can make investigations faster and more precise. Critics, however, raise concerns about privacy, oversight, and how far surveillance should go.

For now, ICE is gathering information, not making decisions. But the request itself sends a clear message: the line between commercial data technology and government investigations is becoming thinner, and the tools shaping online business today may play a bigger role in public policy tomorrow.