\n<\/p>\n
Most modern militaries, including the SAF, have settled on risk-managed use rather than outright bans of fitness tracking apps, said Mr Ridzwan Rahmat, principal defence analyst at defence consultancy Janes.<\/p>\n
Restrictions are typically imposed during classified or sensitive exercises, overseas operations or training where movement patterns could matter operationally, he added.<\/p>\n
Still, experts said that risks should not be dismissed. “Pattern-of-life exposure” such as repeated runs, walks and patrols can reveal daily routines and frequency of movement \u2013 and pinpoint frequently used internal roads, facility perimeters and routine movement areas inside an installation, said Mr Ridzwan.<\/p>\n
\u201cPublicly available data can reveal patterns of life such as the number of personnel in an area, their activity level, and fitness profile that may seem harmless as an individual data set,\u201d said defence observer David Boey, a former member of MINDEF\u2019s Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, such data can represent another piece of the jigsaw that observers compile for a more complete picture of activities inside a military installation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taken as a whole, such open-source intelligence can be exploited by hostile intelligence services and potential terror threats, said Dr Ong Weichong from the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies’ National Security Studies Programme.<\/p>\n
Assoc Prof Razwana added that potential adversaries \u2013 including terrorist, extremist and organised crime groups \u2013 may exploit such insights to identify security vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n
Mr Boey pointed to Jemaah Islamiyah, which conducted reconnaissance here over two decades ago using far simpler tools.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir videos of possible targets pre-dated today\u2019s social media channels and lifestyle apps, whose reach and pervasiveness are likely to be obvious to like-minded non-state actors who may be mulling similar actions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Ridzwan acknowledged that Singapore’s context differs materially, with most military installations already visible and well-mapped via open-source imagery \u2013 but cautioned that “low risk” does not mean “no risk”.<\/p>\n
Singapore should keep its guard up, particularly given the “prevailing global geopolitical situation”, Mr Boey added.<\/p>\n
Servicemen have a role to play in using such apps responsibly, observers said.<\/p>\n
Assoc Prof Razwana said they should adopt a privacy-by-default approach: setting activities to private, using features that hide start and end points, and disabling GPS and geolocation services to prevent automatic syncing of activity data.<\/p>\n
Mr Ridzwan added that servicemen should avoid naming posts, sharing photos or making comments that could identify or link them to their work locations.<\/p>\n
Assoc Prof Razwana also agreed with MINDEF’s approach of continuously assessing emerging technologies, including wearables and AI tracking tools, and updating policies accordingly.<\/p>\n
The SAF Digital and Intelligence Service\u2019s Open Source Unit is believed to actively monitor the SAF\u2019s online footprint around the clock, said Mr Boey.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese cyber defenders would help MINDEF\/SAF detect, track and localise instances when Strava-type situations may compromise Singapore\u2019s security posture. Digital forensics can then recommend follow-on action to plug any leaks,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Boey noted that some SAF personnel appear to have scenic running routes \u2013 through forested areas on the eastern side of Paya Lebar Air Base and along the breakwater at Changi Naval Base \u2013 that are visible on Strava heatmaps.<\/p>\n
That photos of such routes have not surfaced via unsanctioned channels suggests personnel are broadly aware of digital dos and don’ts, he said.<\/p>\n
Still, Strava’s social dimension may work against good security habits.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not intuitive to set activities to \u2018Only me\u2019 when the device or app is meant to showcase development or progress in certain activities and affirmation from others necessary to sustain the habit or activity,\u201d said Assoc Prof Razwana.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n