Wired: Anyone Can Buy Data Tracking US Soldiers and Spies to Nuclear Vaults and Brothels in Germany

Source URL: https://www.wired.com/story/phone-data-us-soldiers-spies-nuclear-germany/
Source: Wired
Title: Anyone Can Buy Data Tracking US Soldiers and Spies to Nuclear Vaults and Brothels in Germany

Feedly Summary: More than 3 billion phone coordinates collected by a US data broker expose the detailed movements of US military and intelligence workers in Germany—and the Pentagon is powerless to stop it.

AI Summary and Description: Yes

Summary: The text discusses significant security risks associated with the tracking of US military and intelligence personnel through mobile location data. It highlights how the unregulated collection and sale of such data can compromise national security and the safety of individuals associated with sensitive operations.

Detailed Description:
The content of the text is highly relevant, especially concerning information security and infrastructure security within military contexts. It brings to light the vulnerabilities that arise from the commoditization of mobile location data and its implications for national defense.

– The narrative begins with a description of a device following a routine related to US Army operations in Germany, identified as part of the US military’s infrastructure.
– The key takeaway is that the device in question—carried by an individual likely involved in critical system operations—exposes a significant security risk by inadvertently broadcasting location data.
– A collaborative investigation reveals that US companies involved in digital advertising are—legally—collecting location data that can be utilized to track military personnel, representing a vulnerability in operational security.
– The report tracked location signals from devices used within sensitive military installations, illustrating how location tracking can lead to the identification of personnel and their activities:
– Signals from devices reported within NSA monitoring facilities.
– Signals from a US compound where allied forces were being trained.
– Movements tracked at an air force base associated with drone operations.
– Examples of specific devices broadcasting from highly classified and secure military locations provide a stark illustration of the risks presented, including:
– Coordinates from within a structure linked to NSA surveillance.
– Devices revealing movements across a restricted weapons testing facility.
– The overall implication emphasizes the urgent need for better regulation of mobile location data to protect military operations and personnel from potential adversaries.

The insights from the text underscore the intersection of information security and military infrastructure, highlighting the need for enhanced safeguards against data misuse that can jeopardize national security. Security professionals in both the public and private sectors should consider the implications of unregulated data collection and trackable devices when developing policies and protective measures.