The French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle was inadvertently located in the Eastern Mediterranean due to a publication on the Strava sports application by one of its sailors. This was reported by the French newspaper Le Monde.
The sailor, on March 13, went for a run in the open sea northwest of Cyprus. He shared this sports session on the application, adding a photo. With this satellite image, he inadvertently revealed the position of the aircraft carrier in the immediate vicinity.
The French Armed Forces Headquarters stated, “If the reported case is verified, it is not in line with current instructions. Measures will be taken by the command.” The statement emphasized that French sailors and military personnel are regularly made aware of security risks related to connected devices.
The military has previously encountered issues with Strava. In January 2018, the US military discovered that it was disclosing the positions of soldiers in bases in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. In autumn 2024, Le Monde had already identified the location of presidential bodyguards from the US, France, and Russia due to their use of Strava.
The French aircraft carrier and its escort have been positioned in the Eastern Mediterranean since March 9 as part of a “strictly defensive” posture to protect the interests of France and its allies, as stated by the government.
