Blimey! Strava, we have a problem! Fancy a little jog while keeping an eye on the president of France? Strange as it may seem, that’s exactly what seems to have been happening with Emmanuel Macron’s bodyguards, and it’s caused a bit of a ruckus in the cybersecurity world, I can tell you.
Here’s the scoop; an investigate boffin from the French newspaper, Le Monde, discovered something rather baffling regarding Macron’s security detail – namely the Security Group for the Presidency of the Republic, or GSPR for those who enjoy a neat little abbreviation.
Strava, a marvellous little fitness app, seemed to be buzzing with activity from our French friends in GSPR. Normally, that wouldn’t bat an eyelid, you see, we’re all for a bit of exercise, but the rub is – those barmy blokes were openly sharing their location on the app whilst pounding the pavement. Bit daft, ain’t they?
“It’s like leaving a trail of breadcrumbs for anyone interested in tracking the president’s whereabouts,” I muttered to myself after a hearty chuckle. But it’s no laughing matter, I assure you. This rather innocent act of tracking one’s jog had the potential of broadcasting the exact location of the French President to anyone keeping a keen watch on Strava. I mean, there’s staying fit and then there’s giving away state secrets while you’re at it!
I know what you’re thinking, the guards have got to be more discreet, right? Agreed! But this incident does make one ponder about the matey Macron’s safety – if a dozen of his bodyguards were inadvertently leaking information this way, who knows what other slip-ups might be lurking.
Apparently, the GSPR lads have been sharing geolocalized information in public. In non-techy language, this means they are practically sending out a virtual postcard of their specific geographical location. Anyone keeping a curious eye on the platform could quite easily work out the president’s whereabouts.
Picture this: You’re sitting down, nursing a cup of tea, scrolling through Strava, and bingo! You find a cluster of Macron’s bodyguards logging their runs while he is possibly just a stone’s throw away. It’s quite remarkable, in a “you’re giving way too much info” sort of way.
Cybersecurity, as we now well know, isn’t just about keeping our email safe from spam or deterring phishing attacks, but it also includes dodging this sort of unanticipated blunder. That’s a healthy reminder for all of us, especially those treading the untangling web of digital complexities.
To wrap it up, our French colleagues in the GSPR need to shape up their cybersecurity game. They’ve served us a timely reminder that even when we’re out jogging, our digital footprint can have unintended consequences. So, let’s lace up those trainers, get out there and enjoy the run, but remember – try not to jog and divulge sensitive info all at once!
In the words of Confucius, “It does not matter how slow you jog, as long as you do not stop… or forget about cybersecurity.” Alright, maybe Confucius didn’t say that last bit, but you get the picture!
by Parker Bytes
