Strava is a very popular fitness tracker app. Its popularity stems from how it can record the workouts of cyclists and runners alike and provide them with accurate maps of the routes they use. Because of Strava's social network features, the routes and the "fitness journeys" of its users can now be shared with the public. The app is being used by over 125 million people in more than 190 countries and territories. (Related: Why you shouldn't wear fitness trackers: Exercise tracking map accidentally reveals U.S. military secret bases across the globe.)
The news outlet found that many USSS agents use Strava despite multiple assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump.
In one instance, a Secret Service agent assigned to President Joe Biden went for a jog and Strava traced his route during the president's 2023 trip to San Francisco for high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Because of the app, Le Monde was able to determine the exact hotel Biden was staying at during his visit to the California city. It was also able to track the movements of First Lady Jill Biden and former First Lady Melania Trump thanks to the movements of their Secret Service agents using Strava.
In total, the French news agency reported being able to track the movements of at least 26 Secret Service agents on Strava as they shared their movements while on duty.
Le Monde's investigation was also able to trace the movements of French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In one example, the newspaper traced the Strava movements of several of Macron's bodyguards and was able to determine that he spent a weekend in the Normandy seaside resort of Honfleur in 2021. The trip was meant to be private and was not published as part of the president's official agenda. Macron has since barred his security teams from using the app.
Secret Service doesn't sound overly concerned
This issue emerged after the Secret Service spent months enduring criticisms for preventable security lapses that resulted in Trump being targeted in multiple assassination attempts.
In a statement to Le Monde, the USSS said that its agents are not allowed to use personal electronic devices while on duty during protective assignments, but that the agency "does not prohibit an employee's personal use of social media off-duty."
"Affected personnel have been notified," said the Secret Service. "We will review this information to determine if any additional training or guidance is required."
"We do not assess that there were any impacts to protective operations or threats to any protectees," the agency added, noting that the locations of individuals protected by the Secret Service "are regularly disclosed as part of public schedule releases."
Watch this video reporting on an incident last year showing how a Russian commander was assassinated in broad daylight while on a run after posting his jogging route and running schedule on Strava.
This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.
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