The US military disables advertising tracking identifiers on a range of phones and computers used by service members, according to multiple reports. The move is linked to concerns that commercially available location data could help adversaries identify and target American troops in the Middle East.

Several outlets cite letters released by US Senator Ron Wyden and statements provided to Reuters. Reporting says the restrictions involve “ad trackers” or advertising IDs on devices, with one account indicating the Air Force disables the identifiers on phones and computers and Special Operations Command recently disabled them on Windows devices. Other coverage notes that advertising identifiers are used for targeted advertising and can generate or enable location-linked data.

Outlets also differ in emphasis and timing details. Some frame the action as newly implemented in response to targeting reports, while others describe parts of the effort as already in place for certain device types, including claims that Windows blockers existed before 2021 and mobile defaults changed as of at least February 2026. Several stories add that the restrictions aim to reduce troops’ inclusion in bulk location data sales by vendors and data brokers.