In an unsettling report commissioned by West Point, we’ve learned that personal details of U.S. military members are being bought and sold like items at an auction, with little to no checks in place.

This alarming situation points to a crack in our nation’s defense, potentially leaving soldiers open to dangerous situations like blackmail due to exposed personal information.

Major Jessica Dawson from West Point initiated the study and emphasized the risk by stating that this data selling allows for people to be targeted based on their weaknesses.

This isn’t just about privacy; it’s about the security of our country and its defenders.

The fact that those who serve in the military can have their privacy invaded in this manner is deeply concerning.

The industry behind this data selling is worth a whopping $214 billion and is increasingly worrying for both privacy and national security.

Despite its significance, the responses to combat these practices seem slow.

Duke University researchers went undercover as buyers to see how easy it was to obtain this information.

Their findings were shocking.

They were able to purchase information on about 30,000 active-duty military members, as well as data on 5,000 of their relatives and friends.

Justin Sherman, who led the Duke research, said if they could buy this data under ethical guidelines, then those with bad intentions, like foreign enemies, could easily do the same.

The data available for purchase includes sensitive information such as personal health issues, financial status, and even things like gambling habits, for as little as 12 to 32 cents per person.

This could be misused to pressure military members by threatening to reveal personal details that could ruin their careers.

Despite these worrying findings, the Department of Defense has not commented on the issue.

The Consumer Data Industry Association, representing data brokers, claims there are laws in place to control how consumer data is used.

However, these laws seem not to be enough to protect against the unique threats facing military personnel.

Lawmakers are trying to address these risks.

Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has pushed for the Government Accountability Office to look into how the Defense Department is keeping service members’ information safe from foreign threats.

Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) has proposed a bill to stop data brokers from selling military members’ information to foreign adversaries.

These legislative efforts show that there is a growing concern, but more immediate action is needed.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is also aware of the issue and is starting to take steps to limit the access brokers have to credit report data.

Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission, which oversees consumer protection, has looked at the report but hasn’t spoken out against any specific practices of the companies involved.

They’ve been known to keep an eye on the data broker industry’s effect on privacy.

Major Dawson warns that the danger doesn’t look like an immediate disaster but more like a “death by a thousand cuts,” hard to draw attention to until it’s too late.

There is a strong push for federal policies to manage this issue.

A bill from last year aimed to tighten data sharing rules and create a data broker registry, allowing people to opt-out of having their data sold.

This bill, which hasn’t passed yet, is more relevant now given these findings.

The need for action is clear and urgent.

Personal information being so easily turned into a tool against our military personnel highlights a need for laws that will protect not just the privacy of individuals, but also our national security.

The message from this report is straightforward: the time to address this problem is not in the future; it is now.