Troops at Risk: How Commercial Location Data Becomes a Battlefield Threat

U.S. forces have been targeted using commercial location data, highlighting the security threats within the global surveillance economy. Reports indicate adversaries exploiting this data to track U.S. personnel in war zones, prompting a call for stricter controls on the adtech industry. Lawmakers urge immediate action to safeguard military personnel.

Reports have surfaced that U.S. military forces deployed in war zones are being targeted through commercially available location data. This unsettling development underscores how the global surveillance economy is now influencing warfare dynamics. A letter from U.S. Central Command, shared by Senator Ron Wyden, reveals multiple threats from adversaries exploiting this data to monitor and target troops in the field.

The growing concern has led Senator Wyden to caution about viewing the adtech industry as a potential national security threat. Although the Pentagon has promised to address lawmakers’ concerns, detailed information remains scarce. Legislators are frustrated, as their attempts to gain further details have been unfruitful.

Digital advertising relies heavily on location data, often collected and sold by data brokers. Despite longstanding privacy debates, its use as a national security threat is gaining attention. Lawmakers suggest measures like disabling advertising IDs on military devices and advocating for browsers focusing on privacy, emphasizing that actions are necessary to counter adversaries' advantages.