A recent study by Israeli cybersecurity firm CYFOX has highlighted the security risks posed by IDF soldiers sharing photos and videos on social media. The study analyzed cases where soldiers posted personal content from combat zones, revealing sensitive information that could be exploited by Israel’s enemies.
The study found that many soldiers unknowingly disclose operational details, strategic locations and personal data. Open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques allow hostile entities to cross-reference publicly available data, identifying buildings, locations and even soldiers' identities. In some cases, soldiers themselves explicitly share sensitive details in their posts.
These disclosures pose serious security risks, potentially endangering national security as well as jeopardizing lives and damaging the IDF’s global image. Terrorist organizations have exploited such information to plan targeted attacks, while hostile actors have used it for propaganda and legal action against Israeli soldiers abroad.
Efforts to pursue legal action against Israeli soldiers have intensified in recent months but are not new. Pro-Palestinian groups have previously sought to have Israeli military personnel arrested abroad.
In December 2024, activists in Chile called for the arrest of alleged Israeli soldiers in the country. A month earlier, a group in the Netherlands targeted three IDF soldiers visiting Amsterdam.
Since the beginning of 2025, complaints have been filed against soldiers in France and Belgium, while reports have surfaced of Israeli soldiers being detained or questioned in Germany, Greece and Cyprus over alleged war crimes.
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A high-profile case recently involved an Israeli soldier who had to flee Brazil to avoid arrest, prompting Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to convene a Security Cabinet discussion on protecting Israelis and Jews abroad.
Experts attribute this situation to a lack of awareness about information security. They stress the urgent need for stricter regulations prohibiting photography and social media activity in operational zones, along with better training for soldiers.
The study also points to the broader consequences of careless social media activity, including how Palestinian propaganda groups manipulate soldiers’ posts to portray the Israeli military negatively.
One example cited is a Facebook post by a pro-Palestinian activist in France featuring an image of IDF soldiers wearing women's clothing, allegedly taken from a Palestinian home. Other posts show soldiers in seemingly playful situations that have been repurposed as anti-Israel propaganda. Beyond reputational damage, soldiers who appear in such images may also face personal security risks.
Additionally, the use of navigation apps within military bases has created potential targets for enemies. A recent report in Ynet’s sister outlet Calcalist warned that data from apps like Waze and Google Maps could help Hezbollah locate military sites, similar to an incident where a dining hall at an Israeli training base was bombed.
Several years ago, a fitness app was also found to be tracking soldiers' running routes inside bases.
“The IDF takes continuous measures to ensure the security of its personnel,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement. “Soldiers are strictly prohibited from disclosing their locations, both in Israel and abroad, to prevent unnecessary risks. These guidelines are regularly reinforced and violations are handled through command and disciplinary channels as necessary.
“The IDF is aware of geolocation tracking capabilities and proactively works to protect its soldiers from such threats. In coordination with relevant Israeli authorities, the IDF remains committed to safeguarding its personnel at all times including when they are overseas.”