A French naval officer inadvertently disclosed the location of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and its escort fleet via a publicly visible fitness tracking app.
Officer’s Workout Reveals Sensitive Data
A French warship was approaching the coast of Turkey when an officer used the Strava fitness app on a smartwatch to track a run. Because the officer’s profile was public, the app broadcast the location of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and its accompanying vessels in the Mediterranean Sea.
Journalists at “Le Monde” identified the officer and the data transmission.
Carrier Group’s Composition and Concerns
The task force included at least three frigates, a supply ship, and the aircraft carrier itself. While President Emmanuel Macron had announced the deployment, the French newspaper highlighted the danger and imprudence of publicly revealing the navy’s precise location in near real-time, especially given the situation in the Middle East.
Data Confirmed by Satellite Imagery
The officer’s movements allowed anyone to track the carrier’s location, with the smartwatch data corroborated by satellite imagery of the area.
Military Protocol Violated
The French Armed Forces General Staff, informed by reporters, stated that publishing the running route on the app “is not in accordance with current regulations,” which sailors are regularly briefed on. The newspaper reported that at least one other crew member on board also used Strava.
Security Briefings and Device Restrictions
“During their duties, sailors are regularly informed of security risks related to connected devices, especially regarding the use of social media in private life and the possibility of geolocation via digital applications,” said Vernet to the Associated Press.
The French Navy employs varying levels of restrictions on connected device usage, determined by command based on the threat level, according to the Associated Press.
France Takes Corrective Measures
France announced it is taking “appropriate measures” to prevent similar incidents. The data leak from the aircraft carrier is the latest development in an investigation by “Le Monde” from autumn 2024, which documented vulnerabilities in the use of fitness apps by security personnel protecting the presidents of France, the United States, and Russia.
