Locations of Trump, Harris can be found in the exercise app: French newspaper

A recent French newspaper survey The world revealed that fitness app Strava has exposed the locations of high-profile leaders such as former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

What Has Research Shown?

The investigation, released in French and in English, revealed that some US Secret Service agents were using Strava, a tool commonly used by runners and cyclists to track and share their routes, to record the activities of see and share their hobbies with the community. Their use of the tool intentionally left a digital breadcrumb trail that could put their defenders at risk.

Strava users in presidential security agencies, including those protecting US President Joe Biden, Harris, Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin were found in the investigation.

For example, The world tracked the Strava movements of Macron’s bodyguards to discover that the French leader had spent a weekend in the Normandy seaside resort of Honfleur in 2021. The trip, which was intended to be private, was not listed in the president’s official program.

For example, The world said that an operation by Biden’s security team on the app revealed in advance the hotel where he will stay in San Francisco for important talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2023. The newspaper found that hours ‘ moments before Biden arrived, the agent ran from the hotel. while using Strava, which tracked his route.

In addition, The world said former first lady Melania Trump and former first lady Jill Biden could also be identified by tracking their Strava status.

What Does the Secret Service Know?

In a statement to The worldThe US Secret Service has confirmed that their protocol prohibits the use of devices in the workplace. However, they added that off-duty use is not restricted, saying there is no major security breach.

Following the report, the agency pledged to review the matter and provide additional guidance to staff.

“Affected employees have been informed,” it said. “We will review this information to determine if additional training or guidance is needed.”

“We are not assessing whether there have been impacts on security operations or threats to those being protected,” it added. Places are “always featured as part of public schedule publications.”

How Many Agents Use the App?

The world they said they had appointed 26 US agents, 12 members of France’s GSPR, the Security Team of the President of the Republic and six members of Russia’s FSO, or Federal Protection Service, all of whom are responsible for the security of the president, who had public records. Strava and therefore communicated their movements online, including during professional tours.

However, The world he did not identify the guards by name for security reasons.

Research Outcome

The investigation highlights potential security flaws caused by Strava’s data, especially when security personnel, tasked with planning trips in advance, reveal sensitive areas such as hotels where world leaders’ which will meet for high meetings.

The report also shows that surfers who use their full name on Strava can expose other sensitive information, such as personal addresses or family information, which can be used for malicious purposes.

However, in response, Macron’s office said on Monday that the results of the reported news are The world “they are very small and do not affect the security of the President of the Republic in any way,” he added, adding that local authorities know Macron’s movements ahead of time and that Macron’s residences are always completely safe, “therefore the danger is not there. it is.”

“However, a reminder was issued to delegates by the chief of staff asking them not to use this device,” Macron’s office added.

The incident underscores the growing need for stronger controls over fitness apps and the use of customer data, according to Louisiana State University cybersecurity professor Ibrahim Biggili. Biggili’s research warns of the possibility of misuse of exercise data, which could increase poaching, theft, or even more serious accidents. He said consumers often unwittingly give companies permission to misuse their data.

“Companies love our data, and we love the product, so we’re giving the data away for free,” he told The Associated Press. “The government really needs to start cracking down on how data can be used and how long it can be kept.”

This article includes a report from The Associated Press.