A new investigation by French newspaper Le Monde reveals potential security risks involving Strava, a fitness app used by the security teams of prominent leaders, including US President Joe Biden and presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
The report suggests that by tracking the publicly shared workout routes of bodyguards, it’s possible to deduce confidential travel details of leaders.
Strava, widely popular among runners and cyclists, logs location data, which is visible on profiles unless privacy settings are changed.
The Le Monde report uncovered movement data for US Secret Service agents, as well as security details for French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting that movements tied to Macron’s security could even confirm a private 2021 trip.
The newspaper did not reveal agents’ names to avoid further risks but demonstrated that an agent’s profile could show the hotel Biden’s team occupied before high-stakes meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco.
While the Secret Service confirmed agents can’t use personal devices on duty, it found no immediate threat, stating that location data is often disclosed in official schedules. Macron’s office also downplayed security risks, though a memo advised agents to avoid using the app.
Cybersecurity experts like LSU professor Ibrahim Baggili highlight how publicly available data on apps like Strava can inadvertently aid criminal actors and call for greater regulation on how consumer data is shared and stored by tech companies.
