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Smartphones May Not Be Allowed at US Military Installations

Feb 5, 2018

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The US Defense Department is reviewing whether cellphones should be banned at the Pentagon – where 23,000 military and civilian personnel work at the nation’s military headquarters. The review has started in the beginning of January.

In fact, the US defense agencies have been taking a comprehensive look at the use of personal technology by the American military worldwide. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis broadened the term to include wearable electronics with GPS capability.

Dana White, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson said: “It’s about GPS-enabled electronics. It’s a wide array of electronics that we’re looking at.” “Bases have been attacked,” said White. “Information is power and our adversaries have used information to plan attacks against us,” she said.

Mattis expanded the review after it was revealed that a heat map generated by the Strava fitness tracking app identified exercise routes used by US military personnel worldwide, even at some U.S. facilities that were not public. See article on the event

“We’re not talking just the Pentagon which is the headquarters for the far-flung US military,” said Mattis. “So, we’re looking at how we maintain electronic security just like we maintain any other security.”

According to abcnews.go.com, military and civilian employees at the Pentagon are currently allowed to bring their personal or work cellphones into the building – although as a practical matter there is no cellphone reception throughout most of the building.

Even so, personnel working in classified or secure areas are required to leave their phones outside in specific boxes or small lockers. A US official said a cellphone ban would present significant logistical challenges to deal with employees arriving at work but wanting to keep their phones handy.

One option being explored is placing thousands of such boxes or secure lockers in areas where employees can place their devices prior to entering the building.