French Military Exposed by StravaLeaks as App Reveals 18,000 Personnel Locations

The French Military Faces Another ‘StravaLeaks’ Crisis

The French military has once again found itself in the spotlight due to a new ‘StravaLeaks’ incident. This time, over 18,000 military personnel’s locations and movements have been exposed through the popular fitness app Strava. According to reports, the app has been tracking the activities of 18,599 profiles linked to individuals working at 100 military bases around the world.

This revelation has raised serious concerns about the security of sensitive military information. For instance, data from the Ile Longue base in northeastern France, where France’s nuclear ballistic missile submarines operate, has been disclosed. Patrol schedules appear to have been inadvertently revealed through the app’s feature that allows users to log their running routes.

Le Monde, the French newspaper behind the investigation, also uncovered that the bodyguards of the leaders of France, America, and Russia have been tracked through their sporting activities. This could potentially allow for the prediction of the movement of heads of state, raising further questions about national security.

Additionally, thousands of French service members have shared details of their military activities by publicly logging their exercise routines on the app. One recent case involved a French sailor who accidentally revealed the position of an aircraft carrier. During a run on deck, the sailor recorded a 4.3-mile workout lasting approximately 35 minutes while the Charles de Gaulle was sailing towards the eastern Mediterranean on March 13.

The data from this run was uploaded to a public Strava account, effectively pinpointing the vessel’s location in near real time. Satellite imagery taken shortly after reportedly showed the distinctive outline of the 262-meter-long warship in the same area.

The Charles de Gaulle, France’s flagship carrier, had been deployed to the region by President Emmanuel Macron following US-Israeli strikes in late February. This move came as tensions with Iran escalated. The nuclear-powered vessel, the only one of its kind outside the US Navy, had initially been participating in exercises in the North Atlantic before being rerouted.

While the carrier’s presence in the region was not a secret, Le Monde noted that the sailor had effectively disclosed its precise location. Other concerning instances include the identification of French personnel operating in war zones such as Jordan, as part of Operation Chammal aimed at combating the Islamic State in the region.

Le Monde began its reporting in February 2024, regularly revealing secrets about France’s military activities. However, despite this scrutiny, it reported that only 7% of the profiles listed as belonging to members of France’s armed forces turned their profiles private in the year after the reporting began.

The Daily Mail has reached out to France’s defense department for comment. This comes amid reports from Le Point that France has deployed four Tiger attack helicopters to the Middle East for counter-drone operations. The nation has already sent Rafale fighter jets to intercept Iran’s Shahed drones.

Despite the ongoing attacks against France’s interests in the Middle East, its defense chief has maintained that the ongoing war in the region “is not ours.” Catherine Vautrin, France’s armed forces minister, emphasized this stance during a statement on March 27.

“The objective, I repeat, is really to facilitate the diplomatic path, hence the notion of defense. And today, this war is not ours. It is important to stress that.”

She highlighted the importance of a diplomatic approach to peace, as well as securing the Strait of Hormuz. Vautrin pointed out that the Strait accounts for 20% of global traffic, affecting not only Western countries but also Japan and India.

“It is important that everyone understands that when we talk about [the Strait of] Hormuz morning, noon, and night, it is because Hormuz accounts for 20% of global traffic. The consequences affect Western countries, but also Japan, India. Many countries are concerned, and it is absolutely essential that we find a solution.”