The US National Security Agency (NSA) has acknowledged purchasing Americans’ internet browsing data from commercial brokers without obtaining a warrant, according to a letter from NSA Director Paul Nakasone to Democratic Senator Ron Wyden.

Senator Wyden released the letter and urged intelligence officials to halt the practice of using Americans’ personal data without their explicit knowledge and consent, deeming it unlawful. Wyden expressed particular concerns about the potential exposure of sensitive information, including individuals seeking help from suicide hotlines or survivors of assault.

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The NSA defended its actions, highlighting the importance of the acquired data for national security and cybersecurity missions and emphasizing its limited use. The agency stated that steps are taken to minimize the collection of US person information, including the application of technical filters.

In response to the revelations, Senator Wyden called on the NSA to cease its collection practices and adhere to federal standards set by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC). He underscored the potential violations of FTC standards, as the acquired data could disclose details about the websites visited by Americans and the apps they use.

An FTC order issued earlier in the month prohibited data broker Outlogic (formerly X-Mode Social) from selling sensitive location data used to track people’s whereabouts. Senator Wyden also sent a letter to Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, urging the US intelligence community to compile an inventory of all personal data of Americans collected by the NSA and purge any information that does not align with FTC standards.