Pentagon warns US troops targeted via commercial location data

The US Department of Defense has raised concerns that American military personnel in conflict zones are being targeted using commercially available

The US Department of Defense has raised concerns that American military personnel in conflict zones are being targeted using commercially available location data.

The warning highlights growing risks linked to the global digital surveillance economy.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it has received multiple reports indicating that adversaries are using commercial data sources to track or surveil US forces in operational areas.

The disclosure suggests that such activity has taken place in active deployment zones, including regions near the Strait of Hormuz.

The information was referenced in a letter shared by US Senator Ron Wyden, who said military officials confirmed threats involving the misuse of location data.

Officials explained that commercially collected data can reveal sensitive details about troop movements and operational patterns.

This includes where soldiers gather, how they move, and their daily routines in the field.

Security experts warned that this information could be used to plan missile attacks, drone strikes, roadside bombs, and intelligence operations against US personnel.

Lawmakers in the United States said the issue reflects a growing “surveillance economy” where personal data is widely traded and potentially exploited.

They argued that the data industry has become a national security concern due to the scale of information collected from mobile apps and digital services.

Reports indicate that location data is often gathered from smartphones and applications, then sold to data brokers and third-party companies.

These datasets can be combined to track individuals with high accuracy over time.

Lawmakers have urged the Pentagon to adopt stronger safeguards, including limiting location tracking on military devices and improving digital security protocols.

They also recommended reducing reliance on common consumer platforms that may expose sensitive movement data.

The Pentagon has not issued a detailed public response to the latest warning.

However, the issue has intensified debate in Washington over how digital advertising data intersects with national security risks.

Officials and analysts say the growing use of commercial data in warfare marks a new challenge for modern military operations.