In a concerning development, a government purchased tool known as Locate X is being used to track the movements of women entering abortion clinics. Signaling a new tactic by anti-abortion groups that could soon get the backing of law enforcement. This tool, developed by Babel Street, leverages smartphone location data to monitor individuals without their knowledge or consent.
Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, Texas has been under a near-total abortion ban, and many women have gone outside the state to seek the procedure. Now interstate travel has become a target for the anti-abortion movement.
Locate X can pinpoint the location of smartphones, allowing law enforcement agencies to track the movements of individuals visiting sensitive locations such as abortion clinics. This capability has raised alarms among privacy advocates, who argue that such surveillance infringes on personal privacy and could be used to target women seeking reproductive healthcare.
Recently, a Texas man, Collin Davis, alleged that his ex-girlfriend underwent an abortion in Colorado. His attorney, Jonathan Mitchell, who is noted for his anti-abortion stance, submitted a legal petition in Texas to gather information potentially useful for a subsequent lawsuit. The petition asks a state district court for permission to depose Davis’ ex-partner along with other people he claims may have helped her access an abortion out of state in Colorado.
Mitchell writes in the petition that any findings could be considered in a possible future lawsuit under a Texas law he helped develop, which allows citizens to sue anyone they believe has, quote, aided or abetted an abortion. Mitchell writes that his client was also considering a suit under Texas’ wrongful death statute.
This is all being done legally and with technological advancements like Locate X women could find themselves losing even more rights. The use of Locate X comes as several states consider implementing stricter abortion laws. By tracking the phones of women entering abortion clinics, authorities could potentially gather data to enforce these laws more aggressively. This has sparked fears that women seeking abortions could face increased scrutiny and legal repercussions.
Privacy advocates have highlighted the invasive nature of this technology, noting that it can monitor individuals’ movements without a warrant. This lack of oversight raises significant ethical and legal concerns, particularly regarding the right to privacy and bodily autonomy.
The deployment of Locate X underscores the growing tension between technological advancements and individual privacy rights. As the debate over reproductive rights continues, the use of such surveillance tools will likely remain a contentious issue, prompting calls for greater transparency and regulation to protect personal freedoms.

