Reporter sneaks $5 Bluetooth tracker onto Dutch warship via mail

Posted on 21 April 2026, Dutch warship compromised with $5 tracker and a postcard reports that Just Vervaart, working for Omroep Gelderland, hid a $5 Bluetooth tracker inside an envelope with a postcard via the military postal service. According to Omroep Gelderland, the reporter followed official instructions designed to make it easier for friends and family to send mail to their loved ones onboard the HNLMS Evertsen.

The Dutch air-defence frigate has been supporting the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle since March to help protect Cyprus and other allies and secure maritime traffic imperilled by the escalating crisis in the Middle East. Officials check posts with an X-ray machine to look for banned and dangerous items, but they do not open items or scan envelopes, and the tracker sailed through without being detected or damaged. The piece notes the incident has been linked to cybersecurity concerns surrounding simple consumer devices and maritime security.