Dutch Navy Frigate Tracked via Bluetooth Tracker in Mail
Severity: Low (Score: 39.0)
Sources: Theregister
Summary
Journalists from Omroep Gelderland tracked the Dutch navy frigate HNLMS Evertsen by mailing a Bluetooth tracker concealed in a postcard. The frigate was deployed to protect France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier. The tracker was active for 24 hours, revealing the ship's movements from Heraklion, Crete, to near Cyprus. Dutch defense officials confirmed the tracker was found during mail sorting and subsequently disabled. In response, the Dutch Ministry of Defence is changing mail policies to ban greeting cards with batteries. This incident highlights vulnerabilities in military operational security and the balance between troop communication and security. Retired lieutenant general Mart de Kruif emphasized the importance of not revealing a ship's location. The incident reflects broader concerns regarding military security in the age of technology. Key Points: • A Bluetooth tracker was mailed to the Dutch frigate HNLMS Evertsen, revealing its location. • The tracker was active for 24 hours, showing the ship's route from Crete to Cyprus. • The Dutch Ministry of Defence is revising mail policies to enhance operational security.