Here's how not to leak military information with your Strava run

A French officer recently leaked the location of an aircraft carrier because of a run on the sports app Strava. This is not the first time this has happened, as the app tracks location data. It was used to access the location of US military bases back in 2018 and members of the Secret Service accidentally shared their whereabouts while protecting then-US President Joe Biden. The same has happened to President Trump and other world leaders.

🚨🇫🇷 NEW: The location of the French aircraft carrier, FS Charles de Gaulle, has been given away by a sailor using Strava whilst jogging on the ship deck [@lemondefr] pic.twitter.com/FuoKMAs06w — Politics Global (@PolitlcsGlobal) March 19, 2026 In other words, the use of Strava to track runs is becoming a global security risk, but it doesn't have to be. If you happen to find yourself in an undisclosed location as part of a military entourage, here are a couple of ways to keep things private. Change the settings Don't want to give up those Strava runs? Just change the settings. On the web, click on "Do Not Share My Personal Information" on the feed page and then look for "Opt Out." This is also fairly easy for smartphone users. Just head to "Privacy Controls" for the app and follow the prompts on both iOS and Android. Both versions include an option to disable the sharing of personal information, including location data. Use another running app Most sports apps track location data, but they don't all share Strava's spotty history. There are plenty of apps out there to choose from, and some are quite good. No matter which one you download, be sure to take steps to change the privacy settings. Run the old-fashioned way Believe it or not, people still jogged before smartphones. Just lace up a pair of shoes and get out there. For extra protection, leave your phone and smartwatch at home. Get a treadmill Are you stuck on an aircraft carrier somewhere in the middle of the ocean? It could be tough to get your steps in, so consider bothering the top brass for a treadmill. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/heres-how-not-to-leak-military-information-with-your-strava-run-183635879.html?src=rss