Fitness bracelets, smartwatches and smartphones have long since become a part of our everyday lives. But these items make it possible for hackers or foreign intelligence agencies to spy on IDF soldiers and monitor their operational patrols.
The Global Heat Map, published by the GPS tracking company Strava, uses satellite information to map the locations of subscribers to Strava's fitness service.
The map shows activity from 2015 through September 2017 and although it was posted online in November 2017, the information it contains was only publicized recently.
As a result, the alleged locations of secret IDF training bases were revealed, along with similar foreign military bases across the world.
Similar to the GPS navigation software developed by Israel-based Waze, Strava's application is predicated on the movement of its members and creates interactive maps of their movement.
Heavily populated areas are well lit, but war zones such as Iraq and Syria show scattered pockets of activity that could be caused by military or government personnel using fitness trackers as they move around. Those electronic signals could potentially identify military bases or other secure locations.
Even in the most remote parts of the world, the moment soldiers activate a fitness bracelet or smartwatch, whether doing calisthenics on the base or patrolling in Hebron – it is possible to track their movement. The data could provide information to someone who wants to attack or ambush troops.
"The IDF recently disseminated policy about smartwatch usage, whereby soldiers are instructed not to share their location and classified information, and on how to use them in a safe manner that does not jeopardize IDF activity and their personal safety. The IDF will examine the [Strava] application and will instruct soldiers accordingly," the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said in a statement.
Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Monday ordered a review of security protocols after Strava published details of the movements of personnel at American military facilities around the world, including in war zones.
Army Col. Rob Manning, a Pentagon spokesman, said the review will determine if there should be additional training or restrictions on the use of the devices, such as Fitbits.
Manning said he was not aware of any compromise to U.S. security by the map and he did not believe there was any move yet to ban the devices. He also said he wasn't aware of any Pentagon effort to reach out to the company or request that the data be taken offline.
Strava says it has 27 million users around the world, including people who own widely available fitness devices, as well as people who directly subscribe to its mobile app.
