US military disabled ad tracking on troops’ devices following reports of targeted attacks
US DoD disabled ad tracking on troops' devices after foreign adversaries targeted service members using commercially bought location data.
Per letters shared with Senator Ron Wyden, the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Special Operations Command disabled advertising IDs on iPhones, Android devices, and Windows computers across the federal military enterprise. The protections rolled out earlier in 2026, with the Air Force implementing changes in July, to prevent adversaries from exploiting app-derived location data sold through data brokers. Wyden warned that personal devices brought onto military bases could still expose troops and facilities, and noted the intelligence community and FBI buy such data without warrants.
- All military branches disabled ad tracking on government-issued phones and computers
- Foreign adversaries targeted US troops in the Middle East using commercially purchased location data
- Protections rolled out earlier in 2026; the Air Force implemented changes in July
- Wyden warns personal devices brought onto bases could still expose troops and facilities
From the original article
2 min read at techcrunch.com
A senator's letter confirms the U. S. military moved to prevent the tracking after foreign adversaries used location data to target troops.
By Zack Whittaker · techcrunch.com
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