NSA Director Paul Nakasone confirmed such purchases in his letter to Wyden, saying the data collected "may include information associated with electronic devices being used outside - and, in certain cases, inside - the United States."
Not only have they been doing this, blatantly, since the 2000’s (remember PRISM?), but even credit report agencies were originally setup in the 80’s to do exact this, and exploit this exact loophole for the government.
OMG, I don't care about which boogyman you fear, it would have happened eventually regardless of color in the position. Money and power speaks much louder than political party.