Photo: Gavin Phillips on Unsplash.com

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - January 16, 2026

On January 15, 2026, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison introduced a new online reporting tool, along with a consumer privacy alert, to address the local impacts of federal activity and possible Department of Homeland Security (DHS) surveillance across the state. According to a release from the Attorney General’s Office, the reporting form allows Minnesotans to document direct experiences of federal actions due to the presence of DHS (including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)), to support the state’s legal efforts in defending constitutional rights and state laws, including a lawsuit against DHS to end Operation Metro Surge. On the same day, Ellison issued tips for Minnesotans to protect their digital privacy, including from possible ICE surveillance, which reportedly uses data from smart devices and vehicles.

Federal Action Reporting Tool

The Federal Action Reporting Tool is set up to collect records of incidents that have been experienced personally or by someone close to them, or that they have personally witnessed. According to a release, specific examples include:  "violations of constitutional rights (racial profiling, excessive force, retaliation against protestors, observers, and media), business closures, reduced healthcare access, reduced education access, other issues impacting public safety and civil liberties, federal funding cuts, federal grant terminations, terms and conditions tied to federal program participation, other administrative actions by federal agencies." 

Attorney General Ellison stated that the office requires "specific and as detailed and direct as possible" accounts to highlight impacts in court, specifically cautioning against the submission of rumors or secondhand information. 

"What’s most useful to my office right now are experiences that are specific and as detailed and direct as possible. In order to highlight certain impacts in Court, we may need to speak with eyewitnesses or those directly involved, rather than just collecting stories you have heard secondhand. My team and I will use these stories and experiences to assist in our ongoing fight to end the federal surge in Minnesota and the chaos, pain, and violence it has caused,” Ellison said in a release. 

The Attorney General’s Office clarified that while they are collecting these stories to assist in their fight to "end the federal surge," they cannot provide individual legal representation for immigration matters.

Learn more about the Federal Action Reporting Form here: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Federal-Action/

Privacy Data Alert

Ellison also issued a release highlighting possible digital privacy concerns around ICE and other federal agencies accessing massive amounts of data from private brokers to track individuals. According to a release, "Data brokers collect massive amounts of data, create profiles about individuals, and sell this information. Even interacting with a weather app can lead to information being stored with a data broker."  

The Attorney General’s Office suggests that Minnesotans minimize their digital footprint by using privacy-focused search engines, regularly installing security updates, and using end-to-end encrypted communication tools. (See the full list of tips from the Attorney General's Office below.) Additionally, the alert advises residents to protect physical access to their devices by using strong screen lock passwords and disabling biometric authentication, such as FaceID or TouchID, to prevent unauthorized access.

Finally, the Attorney General's Office recommended that Minnesotans become familiar with the Minnesota Consumer Data Privacy Act, which went into effect on July 31, 2025. The Act allows consumers to delete the data that certain businesses collect about Minnesota residents. According to a release, "Deleting data that is held by data brokers or businesses that you no longer interact with could make it harder for unwanted entities to get hold of your private information."

You can learn more about the Act here: http://privacymn.com/  

These state-level actions come amid significant tension in the Twin Cities area following a surge of more than 2,000 federal officers. The Associated Press reports that these agents, typically tasked with arrests and deportations, are now performing crowd management roles that are usually handled by local police. The Associated Press reports that this shift has led to reports of aggressive tactics, including the pointing of rifles at demonstrators and the use of chemical irritants. While DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin maintains that agents receive "rigorous training" in de-escalation, experts cited by the AP warn that these federal tactics may actually escalate volatile situations, citing a lack of the traditional community compact held by local law enforcement.

Steps for Better Privacy from the Minnesota Attorney General's Office

Each person must weigh their own risks and determine how to best manage their personal privacy and security.  Here are some steps to take to better manage the privacy of your digital information:

Minimize Your Digital Footprint.  Simple actions can dramatically reduce the amount of data that your devices collect and sell.  Consider using privacy-focused browsers and search engines that prioritize user privacy and do not track your searches. You should also limit the amount of personal information you share online. Be mindful of websites you visit and the information you provide them.    

Regularly Update Software.  One of the best ways to protect yourself is to keep your phone up to date.  It is important to install security updates to make it harder for spyware to be used against you.  Enable automatic updates wherever possible.

Disable Location Services.  You can minimize the number of parties who have access to your location data by disabling location services. Be mindful of apps that you choose to share your location with.  Often, apps that appear harmless (like games) are tracking and selling your data, including location information.  Consider disabling location services entirely if you are at a protest or sensitive location. 

Use Secure Communication Tools.  To protect the content of your communications, use messaging applications that feature end-to-end encryption.  This ensures that only the sender and intended recipient can read the contents of a message and protect private conversations from third-party interception. 

Protect Access to Physical Device.  To protect access to your phone or other devices, you should use a strong screen lock password.  You should also disable biometric authentication such as FaceID or TouchID.  You may also wish to disable the ability to take actions from a locked screen.

Airplane Mode.  You can reduce the likelihood of being tracked through cellular activity by turning on Airplane Mode, which will disable cellular connections when possible. However, Airplane Mode does not prevent GPS signals from reaching your phone. 

Review Privacy Settings.  You should regularly check and adjust your privacy settings on your phone, apps, and social media accounts to control who can see your information and how it is used.

See the original release here.