Bodyguards' fitness apps helped track Putin
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Journalists have identified six employees of the Federal Protective Service responsible for the security of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. This discovery was made through their accounts on the fitness app Strava, citing Le Monde.
According to the report, security agents for various presidents, including those of France, the United States, and the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, use the fitness app Strava.
Strava is a popular app among runners and cyclists. In 2018, it featured an activity map that displayed aggregated user routes, with thicker and brighter lines indicating routes traveled by more users.
Le Monde reports that security agents did not restrict their activity on the app, thus allowing Strava access to data that could reveal the presence and locations of military bases around the world, as well as routes taken by military personnel.
In the app, it’s also possible to identify intelligence or military personnel by name without accessing an anonymous map, simply by examining actions posted on Strava.
Journalists were able to identify six employees of Russia’s Federal Protective Service who are responsible for Putin’s security and have public accounts on Strava. Movements of these employees, including during professional trips, could be tracked online.
From the security service of French President Emmanuel Macron, 12 individuals using Strava were identified, while in the US Secret Service, 26 users were identified.
Previously, RBC-Ukraine reported that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin demolished his residence in Sochi, likely out of concerns over frequent drone attacks.
