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Fitness map 'reveals location of military bases' by tracking US soldiers' movements while jogging Strava fitness map 'accidentally revealed the location of secret military bases' by tracking soldiers' movements
(about 5 hours later)
An interactive map found online can show the locations and activities of people who use fitness devices such as Fitbit, raising security concerns about soldiers and other people who are at military bases in sensitive areas. A publicly available map has been accidentally revealing the location of some of the most secret and sensitive military bases in the world.
The Global Heat Map, published by the GPS tracking company Strava, uses satellite information to map the locations and movements of subscribers to the company's fitness service over a two-year period, by illuminating areas of activity. The Global Heat Map is published by the GPS tracking company Strava, and is made up by sticking together the locations and activities of people who use fitness devices like Fitbits. It lights up places where people have been running over the last two years – including soldiers and other people who are running at secret military bases and sensitive places including Afghanistan.
The map shows a great deal of activity in the US and Europe, but in war zones and deserts in countries such as Iraq and Syria the heat map becomes almost entirely dark – except for scattered evidence of activity.
A closer look at those areas brings into focus the locations and outlines of well-known US military bases, as well as other lesser-known and potentially sensitive sites – possibly because American soldiers and other personnel are using fitness trackers as they move around.
When Strava launched the map, it made a particular point of the fact that the data was rich and specific, so that it was possible to see a single person kiteboarding or watch people undertaking the route in a triathlon.
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.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.
The map is not live, but shows a pattern of accumulated activity between 2015 and September 2017. The map is not live, but shows a pattern of accumulated activity between 2015 and September 2017. Users are able to opt out of their data being collated for the map.
The map shows a great deal of activity in the US and Europe, but in war zones and deserts in countries such as Iraq and Syria the heat map becomes almost entirely dark - except for scattered evidence of activity. Some of the locations apparently revealed by the map can already be found on Google Maps, using satellite imagery. But the Strava map makes it easy to find the commonly used paths to walk around them, and to work out which parts are in use.
A closer look at those areas brings into focus the locations and outlines of well-known US military bases, as well as other lesser-known and potentially sensitive sites - possibly because American soldiers and other personnel are using fitness trackers as they move around.
The Global Heat Map was posted online in November 2017, but the information it contains was only publicised recently.The Global Heat Map was posted online in November 2017, but the information it contains was only publicised recently.
The data could provide information to someone who wants to attack or ambush troops, The Washington Post reported.The data could provide information to someone who wants to attack or ambush troops, The Washington Post reported.
Military officials are looking into the situation to determine how to respond Military officials are looking into the situation to determine how to respond.
“The Department of Defence (DoD) takes matters like these very seriously and is reviewing the situation to determine if any additional training or guidance is required, and if any additional policy must be developed to ensure the continued safety of DoD personnel at home and abroad,” spokeswoman Major Audricia Harris said.“The Department of Defence (DoD) takes matters like these very seriously and is reviewing the situation to determine if any additional training or guidance is required, and if any additional policy must be developed to ensure the continued safety of DoD personnel at home and abroad,” spokeswoman Major Audricia Harris said.
AP Additional reporting by Associated Press.