Most people wouldn’t give a fitness app a second glance…but this one might actually be putting security forces around the world at risk. Strava offers runners a way to share their running routes and has a global heatmap. But it can reveal location patterns for those working out at military bases in remote locations.
The map can make US bases identifiable. As a 20 year old student, Nathan Ruser, an analyst for the Institute for United Conflict Analysts explained,”If soldiers use the app like normal people do, by turning it on tracking when they go to do exercise, it could be especially dangerous. This particular track looks like it logs a regular jogging route. I shouldn’t be able to establish any Pattern of life info from this far away.”
The Pentagon has actually gotten involved, with the Pentagon spokeswoman Maj. Audricia Harris said “DoD takes matters like these very seriously and is reviewing the situation to determine if any additional training or guidance is required, and if any additional policy must be developed to ensure the continued safety of DoD personnel at home and abroad.”