French Aircraft Carrier Location Leaked Via Fitness App

A French naval officer inadvertently revealed the location of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle by publicly sharing data from a workout on the fitness app Strava, raising security concerns amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.

Details of the Leak

On March 13, 2026, the officer logged a 35-minute run on the deck of the Charles de Gaulle using a smartwatch and the Strava app . The publicly visible data created a map showing the vessel’s location northwest of Cyprus, approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the Turkish coast , . The carrier is part of a strike group deployed to the eastern Mediterranean region .

The French armed forces acknowledged the incident, stating that it “did not comply with current instructions” and that appropriate measures would be taken if the report was confirmed .

Deployment Context

The Charles de Gaulle’s deployment comes as tensions escalate in the Middle East following attacks between the US, Israel, and Iran . France announced the deployment on March 3, 2026, with the stated goals of protecting French nationals, defending French interests, and supporting allies . The carrier strike group includes 20 fighter jets, two surveillance aircraft, and three helicopters .

Previous Security Concerns with Strava

This is not the first time Strava has raised security concerns. In 2018, the app’s global activity map allowed the identification of military bases and patrol routes in Syria and Afghanistan . Le Monde previously reported in 2024 that the bodyguards of French, American, and Russian presidents were trackable through the app .

The incident highlights the potential security risks associated with the leverage of fitness tracking apps by military personnel, particularly when location data is shared publicly.