- by x32x01 ||
A shocking investigation revealed that the U.S. military has been purchasing detailed location data from seemingly ordinary mobile apps 
. These apps - including a Muslim prayer app, a dating platform, and even a storm tracker - have sent user data to brokers and defense contractors, exposing a hidden global data supply chain.
The most downloaded app linked to this network is Muslim Pro, a prayer and Quran app with more than 98 million downloads worldwide
.
Through public records and interviews, Motherboard discovered two main channels used by the U.S. military to acquire location data:
The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) confirmed purchasing access to Locate X to support overseas missions, emphasizing adherence to privacy and legal safeguards
.
Among the apps feeding data to X-Mode were:
X-Mode pays app developers to integrate its software development kit (SDK). This SDK automatically collects users’ geolocation data and sends it back to the company.
For example, an app with 50,000 active users in the U.S. can earn its developer around $1,500 per month
. X-Mode claims to track 25 million U.S. devices and 40 million globally every month.
According to Motherboard, X-Mode has sold or licensed data access to several major defense contractors, including:
Many app developers said they had no idea their apps’ location data ended up with military-linked buyers.
The revelation raises serious privacy and ethical concerns. The U.S. military has a history of using location data in drone targeting and counterterrorism operations. Many of the apps involved, including Muslim-focused ones, have user bases in regions affected by U.S. military actions - a troubling overlap.
Experts warn that if the U.S. military can do this, foreign governments and intelligence groups likely are too.
Your phone may be tracking you more than you think 
. Even apps that seem harmless - like a prayer timer or a step counter - can become part of a massive global surveillance network once location data is sold.
To protect yourself:
Big data isn’t just about marketing anymore - it’s about power, surveillance, and control.
. These apps - including a Muslim prayer app, a dating platform, and even a storm tracker - have sent user data to brokers and defense contractors, exposing a hidden global data supply chain.The most downloaded app linked to this network is Muslim Pro, a prayer and Quran app with more than 98 million downloads worldwide
.
How It Works: Two Parallel Data Streams
Through public records and interviews, Motherboard discovered two main channels used by the U.S. military to acquire location data:- Babel Street - A company offering a tool called Locate X, which allows users to draw shapes on a map and track devices moving through those areas.
- X-Mode - A data broker that collects user locations directly through app integrations and then sells that information to contractors - and by extension, the military.
The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) confirmed purchasing access to Locate X to support overseas missions, emphasizing adherence to privacy and legal safeguards
.
Apps Sending Data to Brokers
Among the apps feeding data to X-Mode were:
Muslim Pro - a prayer reminder and Quran app
Muslim Mingle - a Muslim dating app
Global Storms - a weather and storm tracking app
Accupedo - a fitness step tracker
CPlus for Craigslist - an enhanced Craigslist browser
The Economics of Tracking You
X-Mode pays app developers to integrate its software development kit (SDK). This SDK automatically collects users’ geolocation data and sends it back to the company.For example, an app with 50,000 active users in the U.S. can earn its developer around $1,500 per month
. X-Mode claims to track 25 million U.S. devices and 40 million globally every month.
Who Buys the Data?
According to Motherboard, X-Mode has sold or licensed data access to several major defense contractors, including:- 🛩 Sierra Nevada Corporation - builds combat aircraft for the U.S. Air Force
Systems & Technology Research - works with U.S. intelligence and military data analytics
Developers Caught by Surprise
Many app developers said they had no idea their apps’ location data ended up with military-linked buyers.
Mobzapp CEO Nicolas Dedouche admitted, “I was not aware X-Mode was selling data to military contractors.”
Antoine Vianey, developer of the Bubble Level app (10+ million downloads), said he missed the connection entirely.- 🌦 Kelly Technology, maker of Global Storms, simply stated they were “comfortable” with X-Mode’s data usage.
Why This Matters
The revelation raises serious privacy and ethical concerns. The U.S. military has a history of using location data in drone targeting and counterterrorism operations. Many of the apps involved, including Muslim-focused ones, have user bases in regions affected by U.S. military actions - a troubling overlap.Experts warn that if the U.S. military can do this, foreign governments and intelligence groups likely are too.
Final Thoughts
Your phone may be tracking you more than you think . Even apps that seem harmless - like a prayer timer or a step counter - can become part of a massive global surveillance network once location data is sold.To protect yourself:
- Review app permissions regularly
- Disable location access when unnecessary
- Use apps that prioritize privacy
Big data isn’t just about marketing anymore - it’s about power, surveillance, and control.
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