ICE Provided New Employees Access to Restricted Information Before Background Checks
The Intercept · September 3, 2026Original source ↗
What happened
ICE allowed new hires to access sensitive information on the Palantir application ELITE prior to completing their background checks. The application is designed to assist in targeting immigrants, and a legally mandated privacy assessment for it has not been published.
Why it matters
This situation raises concerns about data security and the vetting process for personnel handling sensitive information.
How this story affects people
How does this story affect you if you are an immigrant targeted by ICE?
This situation directly impacts you as it raises concerns about who has access to your personal information and how it may be used against you. The lack of proper vetting for personnel handling sensitive data could lead to unauthorized access and misuse of your information.
How does this story affect you if you are concerned about data privacy?
This incident highlights significant issues regarding the handling of sensitive information by government agencies. The absence of a required privacy assessment for the Palantir application ELITE could undermine public trust in how personal data is managed and protected.
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