Fitness app Strava, which tracks users’ physical activity, unexpectedly leaked data on the movements of bodyguards of world leaders, including Putin, Trump, Biden and Macron.
According to an investigation by French newspaper Le Monde, security officers actively use Strava, which allows them to track the routes and locations of their charges, creating potential security threats.
As journalists discovered, Strava shows all users’ movements on an “activity map.” The more people follow a route, the more visible it will be on the map. The app identified trails in places where people might not think they should post their movements, such as military bases.
This case highlighted a problem: the routes of security guards of public figures, whose training is also recorded on Strava, can help determine the location of objects. For example, a US Secret Service agent recorded a run in San Francisco before Joe Biden’s arrival, revealing the location of the hotel where important negotiations between the US president and Chinese President Xi Jinping were to take place.
Cybersecurity expert Ibrahim Baggili of the University of Louisiana has pointed out the need to tighten controls over the use of consumer data to prevent such risks.
“Companies gain access to data that can be used for tracking, which puts people at risk,” Baggili said.
The report highlights that, thanks to Strava, attackers can access personal information, addresses and photographs of security guards, which threatens their safety and allows them to put pressure on them.
The French president’s office confirmed that warnings had already been sent to staff, noting that “Macron’s movements are always completely safe” and revealing his location does not affect security.
“However, the Chief of Staff reminded agents to use caution when using the app,” the president’s office added.
The US Secret Service said employees cannot use personal devices while on duty, but can use social media at their discretion during their time off. Kamala Harris’ office declined to comment, and Trump’s spokesperson noted that the app raises serious privacy concerns, especially given the attackers’ capabilities.
Previously, Kursor reported that Biden got into a scandal because of some words about Trump supporters.
