Mike Yeagley is a former U.S. intelligence technologist and pioneer in ADINT (advertising intelligence), renowned for his groundbreaking work exposing how commercially available data from mobile apps and targeted advertising can be used for surveillance and national security purposes.

In 2019, Yeagley gained national attention when he briefed senior officials and demonstrated to the U.S. intelligence community—including through features in WIRED—how easily adversaries could track military personnel, spies, and high-value targets using “leaked” advertising data from apps like Grindr and other sources. His warnings highlighted the risks of digital exhaust left by everyday online behavior, influencing discussions on data privacy, commercial data brokers, and threats to national security.

He is the author of the upcoming book: QUANTUM SIGNATURE: HOW I SPY ON TERRORISTS, TRAITORS AND YOU (set for release in 2025/2026), a revealing account of his experiences pioneering these techniques, the intersection of advertising tech and espionage, and the implications for privacy in the modern digital age.

A seasoned consultant who has advised the Department of Defense and other agencies for over 15 years, Mike Yeagley combines deep technical expertise with a candid perspective on the double-edged sword of data-driven intelligence. His work continues to spark debate on surveillance, ethics, and the unseen power of everyday data trails.