France’s aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle was exposed due to fitness data shared by a soldier on the Strava app. According to a report by Le Monde, the ship’s location in the Eastern Mediterranean was identified with a single click. The incident has once again raised concerns about digital security vulnerabilities in military operations.
French newspaper Le Monde uncovered a striking security breach involving the French Navy’s aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. According to the report, a soldier aboard the ship shared his workout activities on the Strava app, which led to the vessel’s location being identified online.
The soldier, referred to by the codename “Arthur,” had made his activity data publicly accessible on the app, resulting in the exposure of sensitive military information.
Sensitive Location in the Eastern Mediterranean Identified
Analysis of the shared data revealed that the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier was located north of Cyprus, approximately 100 kilometers from Turkey. The fact that this information was openly accessible while the ship was en route toward Iran was considered a serious security risk.
Although France had officially announced the deployment of the vessel to the region, the disclosure of its exact location stood out as a critical operational security vulnerability.
France: Violation of Regulations
In a statement, the French General Staff said that sharing data via Strava violates existing regulations. Authorities announced that an investigation has been launched and that measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Previously Warned
The report also noted that Le Monde had previously highlighted security risks associated with the Strava app, but adequate precautions had not been taken. Experts emphasize that digital applications used by military personnel can pose significant risks to operational security.