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U.S. Military Disables Ad Trackers Amid Middle East Targeting Fears
The U.S. military turned off a feature on many phones and computers that can help companies track devices.
Officials are worried that data brokers could sell location information about troops.
Someone could potentially use that information to find military personnel or bases in dangerous places.
Different military branches disabled the feature at different times.
The Army said it blocked the feature on Windows computers before 2021.
It said the feature was disabled by default on Android and Apple phones starting at least in February 2026.
Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Pat Harrigan want the Pentagon to investigate whether the military did enough.
A privacy expert said the change is helpful, but other kinds of tracking may still be possible.
The military is also considering stricter limits on smartphone use in the Middle East.
The U.S. military disabled advertising identifiers on various phones and computers used by personnel.
The Air Force acted two months ago, while Special Operations Command acted recently on Windows devices.
The Army said Windows advertising IDs were blocked before 2021 and mobile IDs by default since at least February 2026.
Lawmakers Ron Wyden and Pat Harrigan called for an investigation into military protections against commercial location-data risks.
Experts said disabling mobile advertising IDs helps but does not eliminate tracking through apps, network data, or device details.
- Who
- The U.S. military, Senator Ron Wyden, Representative Pat Harrigan, and privacy expert Zach Edwards.
- What
- Military branches disabled advertising identifiers on some phones and computers amid concerns that commercial location data could expose troops.
- Where
- On military-operated devices, particularly those used by personnel deployed in the Middle East.
- When
- The disclosures were released on Friday; the services reported different implementation dates, including before 2021, two months earlier, and at least February 2026.
- Why
- To reduce the risk that advertising companies and data brokers could sell location information that might help track or target American forces.
Supporters of the Measures
Critics Seeking Stronger Protections
Effect of disabling advertising IDs
Supporters of the Measures
Zach Edwards said disabling MAIDs on military-operated devices was definitely positive and should prevent their locations from being included in many bulk data sales.
Critics Seeking Stronger Protections
Ron Wyden said the military’s efforts had not been effective at neutralizing the threat, while Pat Harrigan said adversaries should not be able to buy information that helps track American troops.
Whether the risk has been addressed
Supporters of the Measures
Military branches have disabled advertising identifiers on various devices as part of efforts to reduce the location data generated by personnel’s phones and computers.
Critics Seeking Stronger Protections
Wyden and Harrigan said a Pentagon investigation was needed to determine whether the military had adequately countered dangers from the commercial location-data trade.
Broader phone restrictions
Supporters of the Measures
The military is considering stricter limits on smartphone use, including possible phone surrender orders for some personnel in the Middle East.
Critics Seeking Stronger Protections
Disabling advertising identifiers alone may not eliminate tracking, because personnel could still be tracked through apps or combinations of network, location, and device data.
Key facts
- Technology
- Mobile advertising IDs, or MAIDs, can link devices to app activity and help determine physical location.
- Air Force
- The Air Force said it disabled advertising identifiers on computers and mobile phones two months ago.
- Special Operations Command
- The command said it recently disabled the identifiers on its Windows devices.
- Army
- The Army said advertising IDs were blocked on Windows computers before 2021 and disabled by default on Android and Apple mobile devices since at least February 2026.
- Navy
- The Navy said advertising IDs had been disabled on military devices but did not specify when.
- Lawmakers
- Ron Wyden and Pat Harrigan asked the Pentagon to investigate whether the military adequately addressed the risks of commercial location data.
- Remaining risks
- Experts cautioned that apps, network data, and technical device information could still enable tracking.
Quotes
Pat Harrigan
Republican US representative who called for investigation of the risks
“U.S. enemies should not be able to pull out a credit card and buy information that helps them track American troops.”
livemint.com
deccanchronicle.com
“have not been effective at neutralizing this threat”
livemint.com
Zach Edwards
Co-founder of privacy ad-tech company Decryptads
“will essentially ensure their location isn't being included in bulk data sales being done by numerous vendors”
deccanchronicle.com
“definitely a positive thing”
livemint.com
Sources
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