The delicate movements of President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump can be easily tracked for Secret Service agents using the Strava Fitness app.
Used by 120 million people worldwide, Strava allows runners and cyclists to record and share their workouts online. The ability to track users’ movements previously raised an alarm at the Pentagon over concerns that soldiers using the app would reveal the locations of secret US military bases.
A recent investigation by Le Monde found several Secret Service agents operating on the app, including in the weeks after two assassination attempts against Trump.
A recent investigation by Le Monde found several Secret Service agents operating on the app, including in the weeks after two assassination attempts against Trump. Getty Images
In one instance, agents assigned to Biden went for a jog, retracing the 81-year-old president’s route during his 2023 trip to San Francisco for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The outlet was able to determine which hotel Biden was staying at during his West Coast trip based on data displayed on the agent’s STRAVA profile.
Le Monde found that the movements of former First Lady Melania Trump and First Lady Jill Biden can also be tracked based on Secret Service agents using Strava.
Le Monde was able to determine the hotel where Biden stayed during discussions with Xi Jinping for Secret Service agents using Strava. Xinhua/Shutterstock
“Affected personnel have been notified,” the agency told Le Monde in a statement. “We will review this information and determine whether additional training or guidance is required.”
“We have not assessed any impact on protection operations or threats to parents,” the statement continued, noting that they are “routinely disclosed as part of a public schedule release.”
The Secret Service claims the disclosure of location information did not put protectees at any additional risk but said it is reviewing its policies. AP
Secret Service agents are not allowed to use personal electronic devices while on duty, but the agency does not prohibit employees from making their personal use of social media private. ” the agency added.
In total, Le Monde spotted 26 Secret Service agents on Strava who shared their moves during official business.
Dozens of bodyguards for French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin were also discovered on the app.
Strava is used by 120 million people worldwide, according to the San Francisco-based company. piter2121 – stock.adobe.com
In light of the investigation, Macron’s office told Le Monde that it had asked protection agents not to use the app.
The Secret Service came under fire for a “preventable” security failure that resulted in Trump, 78, being grazed by a sniper’s bullet during a July 13 shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania.
