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US military turns off ad trackers on devices amid reports data used to target forces in Middle East

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Named sources Ongoing story
  • The US Air Force, Army and Special Operations Command have disabled advertising identifiers on military devices after reports that commercial location data was used to target American forces.
  • The disclosures have renewed concern that data brokers can sell smartphone and computer location information linked to personnel in war zones.
  • US lawmakers are seeking a Pentagon investigation as officials consider broader restrictions on phone use by deployed troops.

The US military has begun shutting off advertising trackers on phones and computers after reports that commercially available location data was used to target American forces in the Middle East.

Letters released by Senator Ron Wyden and statements to Reuters show that the Air Force disabled advertising identifiers on computers and mobile phones two months ago. US Special Operations Command said it had “recently” disabled them on Windows devices. The Army said advertising IDs on mobile devices had been disabled earlier this year.

The services provided different timelines. The Army said advertising IDs had been blocked on Windows computers since before 2021, while Android and Apple mobile devices had the feature disabled by default since at least February 2026. Similar letters from the Navy and Army confirmed restrictions but did not give full details on when they began.

The disclosures point to a wider security concern. Advertising companies collect location data and data brokers compile and resell personal information. That information can potentially help track military personnel deployed in conflict zones. Air Force and Special Operations Command officials declined further comment, while the Navy did not respond to requests for comment.

The military is also considering tighter limits on phone use. Reuters reported in July that some personnel in the Middle East could be ordered to surrender their phones because videos posted online might help Iran target US bases. Wyden and Representative Pat Harrigan have asked the Pentagon to investigate whether it adequately addressed the risks of the location-data trade.

recently

· US Special Operations CommandThe command used the term in a letter describing when it disabled advertising identifiers on Windows devices.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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