Troops 'not at risk' over Strava breach

Defence has played down the risk of fitness app Strava breaching the operational security of Australian soldiers.

Strava, a social network for runners and cyclists to track their workouts via satellite navigation, released a heat map last year showing the activity of its users worldwide.

The data can be cross-referenced with Google Maps and has shown jogging routes of soldiers at US military bases in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

The Pentagon announced a broad review of military personnel's use of exercise trackers and other wearable electronic devices after the revelations.

The Australian Defence Force said on Tuesday it was aware of the possible risks of the collection of location data through personal electronic devices and applications, but denied there was a risk.

"The circumstances of this application do not constitute a security breach," a spokesman said in a statement.

Defence says all personnel undergo annual mandatory security training which includes cybersafety awareness.

"On operations, the online presence of Australian Defence Force personnel and their use of electronic devices is managed in accordance with operational security requirements developed for each activity," the spokesman said.

"Many of these devices and activities are important to the quality of life of Defence staff."

Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said the department was preparing a report for the government on the matter.