U.S. lawmakers confirmed on May 28, 2026, that officials from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that foreign adversaries are utilizing commercially available tracking and location data to target American service members in conflict zones. A bipartisan group of 14 lawmakers sent a letter to War Department Chief Information Officer Kirsten Davies expressing concerns that the Department of Defense (DoD) is not adequately protecting service members from this threat.
The letter referenced a communication from CENTCOM on April 14, which indicated that multiple threat reports had been received regarding the exploitation of commercial location data to surveil U.S. personnel. The lawmakers highlighted that this was the first confirmation from the DoD of adversaries using such data in active war zones, particularly in relation to the U.S. conflict with Iran.
The lawmakers noted that commercial location data can reveal where U.S. troops gather and their daily routines, which adversaries could exploit for attacks. They criticized the DoD for not prioritizing this threat and failing to implement recommended cybersecurity measures.
The letter was signed by several senators and representatives, including Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). They emphasized that while tracking data is commonly used in digital advertising, it poses significant national security risks for military personnel.
In 2016, a contractor had previously informed military officials about the potential misuse of location data, demonstrating how it could be used to track U.S. forces. The lawmakers expressed concern that the DoD has not treated this issue with the urgency it requires.