Pentagon admits US troops tracked via commercial location data

The Pentagon has acknowledged that adversaries are using commercially available location data to track U.S. military personnel, marking a significant concern for operational security. A letter from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), obtained by Senator Ron Wyden, reveals that troops in active conflict zones are already being targeted through this data.

Despite guidance to disable geolocation on personal devices, security vulnerabilities remain, as smartphones may continue to transmit location data even when settings are adjusted. This exploitation highlights risks posed by the commercial data ecosystem, with ordinary apps and ad networks inadvertently contributing to military surveillance. Lawmakers are pressing for better safeguards, citing the potential for this information to facilitate enemy operations, drone targeting, and other threats.