Have you heard about the CBP One app? If not, you’re in for a shocking revelation. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency has been under fire for mishandling migrants’ personal data through this controversial border control app.

Back in December 2022, digital rights advocacy organization Access Now took action by submitting a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to unveil the truth behind the CBP One app, which was launched in October 2020. Partnering with the Harvard Law School Cyberlaw Clinic, Access Now aimed to shed light on the use of this application for automated decision-making, profiling, and registering migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, stateless individuals, and anyone on the move.

Ángela Alarcón, a campaigner at Access Now, expressed her deep concerns about the implications of the CBP One app on migrants’ well-being. “We are not only worried about the obstacles migrants face in obtaining asylum appointments but also about the lack of transparency surrounding the processing of their personal data and its intended use,” she said.

The Legal Battle Unfolds

As Access Now and the Cyberlaw Clinic felt that the CBP’s response to their FOIA request was inadequate, they decided to take legal action. In May 2024, lawsuits were filed against both the CBP and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency for their delayed and insufficient responses.

After months of legal battles, CBP finally released 11 document sets related to CBP One, albeit with heavy redactions. Access Now noted, “While some information was already public, it is clear that there is more to uncover.”

Fast forward to October 10, Access Now triumphantly announced the release of 2912 pages of CBP One documentation. Now armed with this wealth of information, the organization is gearing up to analyze the records and collaborate with other civil society partners to delve deeper into this pressing issue.