The U.S. Department of Defense has taken steps to disable advertising tracking on military-issued phones and computers following reports of foreign adversaries targeting troops using location data. A letter shared with Senator Ron Wyden confirms that all branches of the military, including the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Special Operations Command, have implemented this change across devices such as iPhones, Android phones, and Windows computers managed within the military network. These measures were put into effect earlier this year, with the Air Force completing their rollout in July.

This move aims to block hostile entities from using location data gleaned from apps on servicemembers’ devices to pinpoint and threaten them either on the battlefield or at military bases. Location data from apps is often shared with third-party companies and data brokers, who sell this information commercially. By disabling advertising IDs on these devices, identifying individual troops becomes more difficult as their location data is anonymized within the broader population.

Senator Wyden, who has advocated for stronger privacy protections, brought attention to the issue after learning that U.S. troops in the Middle East were being targeted using commercially obtained location data. While he praised the military's action to curb ad tracking, Wyden warned that personal devices belonging to troops and contractors on military installations could still pose security vulnerabilities.

Despite these measures, it is notable that U.S. intelligence agencies and the FBI continue to purchase location data without warrants for surveillance purposes. This highlights ongoing concerns about data privacy and the potential risks faced by military personnel from commercial data tracking in the digital age. The military's response represents a significant step to protect service members from these emerging threats.