Chapter 1: What are the risks of using running apps?
What are the risks of using running apps? Thanks for asking! In case you haven't noticed, running is very much in vogue these days. We talked about the London Marathon on Do You Really Know last month, but you don't have to put yourself through the ordeal of a 26 mile distance to enjoy running. It can just as easily be a 20 or 30 minute jog in the park, or in the streets of your local area.
And of course, as with any trend in society, the running boom has gained significant traction on social media. People love sharing their progress on mainstream socials, as well as through dedicated running apps like Adidas Running, Nike Run Club or Strava. All harmless fun, and a good way to connect with like-minded people I'm sure you're thinking.
Chapter 2: How can GPS data from running apps pose security threats?
But behind these running apps, there can be genuine security risks if you're not careful with your data. What do you mean by that? In simple terms, running apps rely on GPS data. They track how long a run takes, where you are and how you perform. And sometimes that data can become problematic when it's shared publicly, especially if it reveals sensitive information.
For instance, in April 2026, the iPaper reported that over 500 people had revealed their locations inside sensitive military bases via Strava.
Those included the Fars Lane naval base on the Clyde, as well as overseas bases like RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus or Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, with the latter two having played a role in America's military campaign against Iran and subsequently been targeted by Iran in retaliation. Commenting on the report on X.com, Conservative MP Ben Obisjekty said it beggared belief.
But it's far from an isolated example. Just one month prior, the location of France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier was also accidentally revealed on Strava. That was through the activity of a young Navy officer who had been running on the ship's deck and posted his activity on the app publicly.
Back in 2024, another media investigation called Strava Leaks identified the whereabouts of world leaders like Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron. That was through the activities of their bodyguards which had been posted on Strava. They unintentionally revealed the locations where the presidents were staying during official or private trips.
Most of us aren't heads of state or secret service agents though, are we? Well, that's true. But even if your work doesn't involve anything confidential, you may still care about your personal privacy. And mainstream running apps all offer fairly comprehensive privacy settings, which are easily adjusted within the apps themselves.
So perhaps the most surprising aspect of the military leaks is the fact that those involved didn't take the basic steps to protect their data. or that their superiors didn't require them to do so. Interestingly, a rather unusual trend has emerged in recent years, with some users hiring so-called Strava jockeys to run on their behalf.
In most cases, it's simply to make their fitness performance look better on the app than it is in reality. But there have also been reported instances of people using Strava jockeys to create an alibi while being unfaithful to their partners. There you have it. Now you know what the risks of using running apps are.
In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you will really know for sure.
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