US Military Disables Ad Trackers on Troop Devices

U.S. military branches have recently taken steps to disable advertising trackers on a range of phones and computers, including those used by U.S. Special Operations Command and the Air Force. These actions were prompted by reports indicating that commercially available location data had been used to target American forces operating in the Middle East. The Army confirmed that mobile device advertising IDs were disabled by default on Android and Apple devices since at least February 2026, and on Windows computers since before 2021.

This development highlights a growing national security concern regarding the sale of location data by data brokers, which could inadvertently reveal the whereabouts of military personnel. Lawmakers are pressing the Pentagon for assurances that these dangers are being effectively countered. Concerns persist that despite these restrictions, personnel might still be vulnerable to tracking through more complex methods, emphasizing the ongoing challenge of safeguarding sensitive information in the digital age.