Pentagon Restricts Use of GPS-Enabled Fitness Trackers

From now on, deployed service members volition take to resort to low-tech ways of tracking their fitness activities.

That's considering a new memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan prohibits the apply of GPS-enabled devices – including wear fitness trackers and smartphone apps that can track your location – in deployed settings, the Section of Defence force appear Monday.

"Effective immediately, Defence Department personnel are prohibited from using geolocation features and functionality on government and nongovernment-issued devices, applications and services while in locations designated as operational areas," Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Robert Manning said on Mon.

The new restrictions come up after the fitness app Strava introduced a "heatmap" feature late last year showing where users workout, inadvertently making information technology easy to detect hidden American military machine bases overseas.

"Zooming in on ane of the larger bases clearly reveals its internal layout, as mapped out past the tracked jogging routes of numerous soldiers," The Guardian reported at the time. "The base itself is not visible on the satellite views of commercial providers such as Google Maps or Apple's Maps, withal it tin be conspicuously seen through Strava."

Following that revelation, the U.s.a. war machine in January said it was reviewing its wireless device policies.

"The rapidly evolving market place of devices, applications, and services with geolocation capabilities presents a significant gamble to the Section of Defense personnel on and off duty, and to our military operations globally," Manning said yesterday. Such devices and apps tin can, for instance, reveal service members' personal information, locations, routines, and more. The DoD says commanders will be responsible for implementing the new policy.

About Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo is PCMag'south proficient on fettle and smart home products. Teaching yoga for nearly x years has helped her in evaluating a range of connected health products including fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, rowers, smart scales, stationary bikes, strength grooming machines, treadmills, and more. Angela also tests smart dwelling house devices from her ranch in Florida, including air purifiers, kitchen appliances, and robot vacuums, just to proper noun a few.

Source: https://sea.pcmag.com/misfit-ray/28737/pentagon-restricts-use-of-gps-enabled-fitness-trackers

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