Men abuse fitness app tracking to stalk women cyclists and runners
Women cyclists and runners report a problem. Men use Strava's location-tracking features to follow them. They send unwanted messages. They show up at their routes.
Women use some exercise apps like Strava. These apps track GPS routes and allow social messaging.
Some women report men using location data to stalk them. One Melbourne cyclist said a man sent messages asking about her route, apartment, and racing schedule.
He then appeared at her cafe stop. Strava is the most popular fitness app with GPS tracking.
It has a social layer showing other users' routes. Karen Bevan is CEO of Full Stop Australia.
She said app developers bear responsibility for safety. "Most privacy settings should be turned on at sign-up," she said.
"Activity start and end points should be hidden automatically." "Messages from strangers should be off unless a user chooses to turn them on," she said.
Strava said key safety features are on by default. Messaging is set to friends only.
The first and last 200 metres of routes are hidden. One Australian runner designed her own app called SoloRunClubxx.
It tracks workouts without sharing location. It tells a trusted contact if the user doesn't confirm they've finished safely.
- Most popular fitness app with GPS tracking
- Strava users registered
- 18
- Amy's age
- Works in IT
- Bianca Pickett's occupation
- Melbourne's north-east
- Location
Why it mattersSafety features in popular apps affect how women can exercise alone. This is a basic freedom many men take for granted.
AustraliaAustralian women cyclists and runners are being targeted; app developers and platforms operating in Australia need to tighten default privacy settings.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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