More than 3 billion phone coordinates collected by a US data broker have revealed the intricate movements of US military and intelligence personnel in Germany, raising significant national security concerns.
A device, likely belonging to a contractor rather than an intelligence official, regularly commutes from a home in Wiesbaden to Lucius D. Clay Kaserne, the US Army’s European headquarters. Over a two-month period in 2023, the device’s predictable routine included stops at a contractor’s office, a sensitive hangar on base, and lunchtime visits to dining facilities. One contractor’s device was traced to a former NSA signals processing facility, reflecting the exposure faced by those in proximity to sensitive locations.
The investigation conducted by WIRED, Bayerischer Rundfunk, and Netzpolitik.org illustrates how US companies, under existing laws, are disseminating mobile location data that serves as a viable means for tracking military movements. This dataset exposes not only the daily activities of US personnel but also sensitive information such as entry points and security routines that could be exploited by foreign adversaries.
In analyzing the data, hundreds of thousands of signals from devices in sensitive military installations were tracked, revealing alarming patterns. For instance, devices associated with individuals at Ramstein Air Base pinged from nearby brothels, indicating potential vulnerabilities for blackmail or espionage. The data poses a threat as it can be used to ascertain when US nuclear weapons are least guarded or identify personnel with access to high-security areas.
Despite the evident dangers, efforts to regulate the data broker industry and protect military personnel have seen minimal progress. US Senator Ron Wyden has been vocal about this issue, pushing for protections for service members. The Pentagon has acknowledged the risks without implementing adequate measures to shield personnel from commercial data exploitation.
Congress has repeatedly failed to pass impactful privacy legislation, with current proposals like the Fourth Amendment Is Not for Sale Act struggling to gain traction. The repercussions of lax data regulations are amplified in light of the complex geopolitical landscape and the ongoing support US servicemembers provide to Ukraine against Russian aggression.
This situation underscores that even low-level military personnel can present significant risks to national security, particularly if they are tracked through commercial means. The impact of unauthorized data sales can lead to breaches in security protocols and operational routines, elucidating the urgent need for government action to mitigate these vulnerabilities and safeguard military and intelligence data.
For more information on this investigation, visit Netzpolitik.org.
