A bombshell investigation by French newspaper Le Monde has revealed a serious security flaw that could compromise the safety of world leaders. The investigation uncovered that the movements of US President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other global leaders can be easily tracked online through a widely popular fitness app, Strava, The Associated Press reports.
Le Monde found that some US Secret Service agents, responsible for protecting these high-profile individuals, are using Strava to record their workouts and share their activities with a community of users. The app unintentionally reveals users’ precise locations and travel routes, potentially exposing the movements of those under their protection. This revelation comes despite two assassination attempts on Trump in recent weeks.
Le Monde’s investigation further revealed that security personnel for French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin also use Strava. By tracking the Strava movements of Macron’s bodyguards, Le Monde was able to determine that the French leader spent a private weekend at the Normandy seaside resort of Honfleur in 2021, a trip not listed on his official schedule. The newspaper also highlighted that the whereabouts of Melania Trump and Jill Biden could be determined through their bodyguards’ Strava profiles.
The US Secret Service, while acknowledging the use of the app by some personnel, maintains that it doesn’t believe the protection it provides is compromised. The agency states that its staff are not permitted to use personal electronic devices while on duty during protective assignments, but allows for off-duty use of social media. They are reviewing the situation to determine if further training or guidance is required.
However, security experts express concern about the potential for adversaries to exploit this vulnerability. Ibrahim Baggili, a computer scientist and cybersecurity professor at Louisiana State University, warns that fitness app data can be misused for nefarious purposes like stalking, robbery, and other crimes.
“Companies love our data, and we love the product, so we give away the data for free,” said Baggili. “The government really needs to start cracking down on how data can be used and how long it can be retained.”
