The location of France’s flagship aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle has reportedly been exposed after a naval officer inadvertently shared geolocation data through a fitness tracking app.
According to reports, publicly available activity data from Strava allowed analysts to pinpoint the approximate position of the 262-metre warship. The data, linked to a sailor’s recorded running route, showed a distinct zigzag pattern consistent with laps on a ship’s deck. This information was then cross-referenced with satellite imagery, placing the carrier and its strike group off the coast of Türkiye.
The vessel had been deployed toward Cyprus amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, following retaliatory actions involving Iran and Western military assets. While France has not formally joined military operations in the region, its forces have been operating in a heightened security environment.
French military officials have reportedly treated the incident as a breach of operational security, reinforcing long-standing concerns about the risks posed by wearable technology and fitness apps used by service personnel. Similar issues have arisen in the past, with location-sharing features unintentionally revealing sensitive military sites and movements.
French sailor reveals position of aircraft carrier with his fitness app.
Run tracking app Strava shows Charles de Gaulle as it steams across the Med. pic.twitter.com/wAQ6kqrQRo
— AlexandruC4 (@AlexandruC4) March 19, 2026
Their worst enemy are the poms who claim to be allies but can’t trust their allies so they have a history of sinking french fleets https://bmmhs.org/mers-el-kebir-sinking-the-french-fleet/
Don’t forget the French sunk he Rainbow Warrior
Bet half of them are using Grindr