US Military Personnel's Sensitive Data Sold Online for Mere Pennies

Researchers from Duke University have discovered that sensitive personal information, including home addresses and health conditions, of thousands of active-duty US military personnel can be purchased online from data brokers for as little as $0.12 per record. The study highlights the national security concerns of foreign intelligence services potentially obtaining this information, which could be used to target or blackmail military personnel and their families. The researchers found that the US data-broker ecosystem, which includes major credit reporting agencies and mobile apps, lacks legal restrictions on buying and selling personal data. Regulators are now considering new regulations to address this issue, while Senator Ron Wyden has called for comprehensive solutions to protect Americans' data.