Armed Forces: Data Protection
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential risks of the public availability of geolocated fitness data on national security, including the potential identification and tracking of (a) UK Armed Forces personnel, (b) deployments, and (c) sensitive military sites; and what guidance, policies or restrictions are in place governing the use of such applications by service personnel and contractors.
Answered by Al Carns
Defence takes the security of its personnel, operations and sites extremely seriously. The Department has long recognised the potential risks associated with the public sharing of geolocated data through fitness and other digital applications. Defence personnel are required to comply with departmental security policies and locally issued direction, and to manage their personal data responsibly to reduce the risk of inadvertent disclosure that could compromise personal or operational security.
While it would be inappropriate to comment on specific security arrangements, Defence routinely monitors risks arising from emerging technologies and online behaviours, and issues guidance to personnel where such risks are identified. This guidance is kept under review and reinforced as necessary.
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