Fitness App Leads to Security Breach for Swedish Leadership

The use of the Strava fitness app by bodyguards assigned to protect Sweden's political elite has inadvertently leaked sensitive information about their whereabouts, including private residences and unannounced meetings.

Bodyguards in Sweden have unwittingly compromised the security of the country’s leaders by sharing workout routes on the fitness app Strava. An investigation recently uncovered that bodyguards of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and the royal family publicized sensitive information through their fitness activities, which included runs through Central Park and bike rides in Stockholm.

The Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter reported the results of their investigation, tracking over 1,400 workouts conducted by several bodyguards over the past year. These uploads revealed the locations of significant meetings and the private residences of high-ranking officials, including the Prime Minister himself. The data indicated that a personal trip taken by Mr. Kristersson and his wife in October was also exposed.

In addition, the investigation highlighted that the fitness app disclosed a covert meeting that took place in Norway last June, attended by Mr. Kristersson and the heads of state from Norway and Finland. Given the sensitivity of this information, concerns have emerged regarding user privacy, particularly for security personnel.

With Sweden recently facing challenges like acts of sabotage on infrastructure, the security implications of this data leak have been emphasized. The Swedish security services confirmed their ties to the leaked data. Moreover, activities of opposition leader Jimmie Akesson were also traced, leading to the revelation of his unannounced visit to Israel.

The Prime Minister's office opted not to comment on the security implications but is likely re-evaluating protocols regarding the use of fitness tracking technology by those in protective roles.