Source: Fox News
Summary
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has written to the Pentagon, expressing concern that foreign adversaries are exploiting commercially available location data to target or surveil American military personnel overseas. The lawmakers cited information from U.S. Central Command, which has received multiple threat reports on the issue. They argue that the Pentagon has not taken adequate steps to protect military personnel from this threat, despite knowing about the vulnerability for years.
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As expected, the matter has reached another stage.
Lawmakers are calling for the Pentagon to take action to protect military personnel from the threat of commercially available location data. They are urging the department to disable advertising identifiers on government-issued smartphones and issue guidance requiring personnel to do the same on personal devices used overseas or on military installations. The lawmakers are also calling for the Pentagon to replace web browsers that facilitate advertising-related data collection with privacy-focused alternatives.
The concern is not new, but the lawmakers’ letter raises fresh questions about how much commercially available data foreign adversaries can access and whether existing Pentagon safeguards are sufficient to protect American troops operating in sensitive environments around the world.
It’s a familiar pattern: a vulnerability is identified, concerns are raised, and calls for action are made.
The Pentagon’s response will be closely watched.
Author: Evan Null
