Pentagon Taps Controversial Surveillance Firm in Havana Syndrome Investigation

The U.S. Air Force has contracted Virginia-based surveillance firm Anomaly 6 to assist in investigating the mysterious “Havana syndrome” illnesses affecting U.S. intelligence personnel, according to documents obtained by The Intercept.

Pentagon’s Use of Anomaly 6 in Havana Syndrome Probe

The Air Force’s contract with Anomaly 6, labeled “Project Yellowfin,” grants the firm access to location intelligence data to identify “actors and activities of interest” linked to reported health incidents. The task force, now under the Office of the Undersecretary of War for Research and Engineering, has not publicly explained its decision to involve the company. A 2022 Intercept investigation revealed Anomaly 6 once demonstrated its ability to track CIA and NSA employees using bulk cellular data, a practice it marketed to both U.S. and foreign clients.

Controversies Surrounding Anomaly 6’s Surveillance Capabilities

Anomaly 6, which purchases location data from third-party apps and advertisers, has faced scrutiny for its role in enabling mass surveillance. In 2022, the company highlighted its capacity to track Chinese and Russian military personnel, according to internal pitches reviewed by The Intercept. However, the Air Force has not confirmed whether this data was used to explore foreign involvement in Havana syndrome, a theory dismissed by a 2023 U.S. intelligence report.

“The report concluded it is highly unlikely the symptoms stem from adversarial actions,” the document stated. The Air Force did not respond to requests for comment on the contract’s scope or its connection to the intelligence findings.

Questions Over Privacy and Government Oversight

Anomaly 6’s ability to access location data from millions of smartphones relies on third-party data brokers, a practice criticized by privacy advocates.

The Air Force redacted most details of the contract, including specific methodologies for analyzing location data. A 2023 Federal Procurement Data System entry lists the project’s completion date as September 2024, though no updates have been released.

Broader Implications for Surveillance Policies