Military hands out secrets on MP3 player

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 27 Jan 2009 at 09:37

A New Zealand man who paid $18 for a MP3 player from a second-hand shop, has discovered it held over 60 confidential US military files.

According to reports, the files contained names, social-security numbers and telephone numbers for soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also listed which personnel were pregnant.

Alongside the personal information, the MP3 player also held inventory lists describing the equipment deployed at a number of military bases in Afghanistan, and a mission briefing.

Handily the files were marked "prohibited by federal law", though no further encryption was required for Chris Ogle to browse them at his leisure.

On the bright side, the files were dated 2005 and as such Ogle is unlikely to have black ops soldiers battering down his door to get them back. Indeed, his offer to return the files has so far been met with silence from embarrassed officials, according to the Kiwi.

It's not the first time sensitive files have turned up on a consumer electronics device. Back in September it was discovered that a camera sold on Ebay contained photos and confidential records of MI6 terror suspects.