In a shocking revelation, an investigation by Le Monde has uncovered a massive security lapse exposing the private locations of some of the world’s most protected figures—U.S. President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and French President Emmanuel Macron—through the popular fitness app Strava. The security of high-profile leaders and their families was reportedly compromised by agents’ use of the app to track their fitness routines.
The app, which logs physical activities like jogging and cycling, allows users to share their routes and locations with friends, family, or the public, depending on privacy settings. According to Le Monde, numerous bodyguards of these prominent figures have profiles on Strava, publicly disclosing their movements—even while on duty.
Biden and Macron’s Security in the Spotlight
One of the most concerning revelations involves French President Emmanuel Macron’s trip to a Normandy resort in 2021. The location, previously undisclosed to the public, was revealed through Strava’s data, accessible to anyone following his security team on the app. The situation has raised alarm bells not only in France but globally, as it illustrates how easily sensitive information can fall into the wrong hands.
The app even enabled investigators to identify the San Francisco hotel where President Biden was staying in 2023 during critical diplomatic talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The security detail, unaware of the risks, reportedly logged fitness activities just hours before Biden’s arrival.
‘No Threat,’ Insists Secret Service
Despite these revelations, U.S. Secret Service representatives have downplayed the potential impact, stating that the security details of presidents and other high-profile figures remain uncompromised. A spokesperson noted that agents are prohibited from using personal devices while on duty but clarified that personal social media usage, including Strava, is not restricted off duty. “We don’t assess any impacts to protective operations,” the spokesperson said, while acknowledging the need to review protocol and ensure all personnel are reminded of the possible security risks.
Similarly, Macron’s office has dismissed significant concerns, claiming, “the risk is non-existent” due to prior security measures in place. Nonetheless, Macron’s chief of staff has reportedly reminded agents not to use tracking apps on duty.
Strava Under Fire: The Data Privacy Debate
Strava, used by millions worldwide, stands by its commitment to user privacy, stating that users must opt in to share location data and can modify their privacy settings at any time. A company spokesperson reiterated that sensitive professionals should use the app’s available privacy controls to limit access to their activity data.
Experts, however, argue that this incident underscores broader concerns over the data security of such fitness apps. Dr. Ibrahim Baggili, a cybersecurity professor at Louisiana State University, warned, “We hand over personal data too easily without considering potential consequences.” Baggili, whose research has revealed significant vulnerabilities in fitness tracking apps, insists that governments worldwide need to enforce stricter regulations on data use and retention by tech companies.
