[wiseleo]

Let’s say you’re DHS. You contact some person and have a conversation like this

Govt: “I need IP addresses, ideally cellular and known public wifi, of a person using this email address”.

Data broker: “Here’s the list including the most recent cellular IP address associated with that person at this timestamp and their most used public wifi locations.”

Govt: “Hey, cellular provider, where is this subscriber right now?”

Provider: “Here’s the lat/long, last seen 1 second ago. Happy hunting!”

[gruez]

How does that contradict what the parent poster is saying? Even though ad-tech companies make tracking individuals easier, it doesn't change the fact that it's still largely funded by advertising itself, not through some shady government shell company.