editor
A report by French newspaper Le Monde has revealed a serious security breach involving a mobile fitness app used by the security teams of World Leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This app reportedly allows for the tracking of even the most confidential movements of these leaders.
According to the Le Monde report, a mobile fitness app called Strava, commonly used by athletes to track workouts via GPS, has inadvertently exposed sensitive locations and movements of world leaders’ security details. Strava enables users to share their physical activities with a community, but this feature has now raised concerns as it potentially compromises the security of sensitive personnel.
Secret Service Security Lapse Draws Attention
The investigation uncovered that despite past assassination attempts on Trump, some Secret Service agents continued to use this app. Research indicated that Biden’s security detail could be tracked ahead of a 2023 meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco. The app revealed the hotel location where Biden was staying, and it even showed a security agent leaving the hotel hours before Biden’s arrival.
In addition, it was found that security personnel from both French President Emmanuel Macron’s and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s teams also used Strava.
Responses from Macron’s Office and the Kremlin
While the Kremlin has not commented on the report, a spokesperson for Macron’s office stated that the president’s security had not been compromised, though security agents were advised to avoid using the app. In a statement, the U.S. Secret Service clarified that agents are prohibited from using personal devices while on duty, though there are no restrictions on social media use outside work hours.
This incident highlights the vulnerabilities in the security measures around world leaders, underscoring the need for stricter protocols in an increasingly digital world.
