GPS Attacks Near Iran Are Wreaking Havoc on Delivery and Mapping Apps

Delivery apps are glitching and navigation routes are changing abruptly thanks to electronic warfare disrupting the satellite signals that power everything from missiles to your ride home.

People on social media have reported strange events on delivery and navigation apps—drivers appear to be in the middle of the sea, or a 10-minute trip home suddenly jumps up to 30 minutes. For residents of countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council, or GCC, where life has more or less resumed despite Iran’s ongoing attacks, this is a subtle reminder that there is still a war being waged overhead.

These problems are widely linked to electronic warfare. In today’s conflicts, disrupting satellite navigation is a common tactic. By interfering with GPS, militaries make it harder for opponents to guide drones, missiles, or surveillance tools accurately.

But the same satellite signals used by the military also power civilian aircraft, shipping, infrastructure ...