23/06/2025
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23/06/2025
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M: anama / Doha, June 23: You open your favorite ride-hailing app in Manama or Doha, only to find your car is waiting for you in Iran. Over the weekend, thousands of Bahrainis and Qataris experienced just that, as a mysterious GPS glitch sent digital maps and navigation apps into a tailspin, leaving users stranded and confused.
What Happened?
On Sunday, June 22, a sudden and widespread GPS anomaly swept across Bahrain and Qatar, knocking out reliable location services for hours. Mobile mapping apps, ride-sharing platforms, and delivery services all faltered, with devices inexplicably placing users in far-flung locations. Social media buzzed with complaints, as social media accounts like Doha News and Bahrain This Month confirmed a surge in “unusual location changes” reported by frustrated residents.
A Wider Gulf Mystery
This wasn’t just a local hiccup. Satellite analysts detected a sharp spike in GPS jamming and spoofing across the Gulf region beginning June 13, with the epicenter of disruption hovering near Bahrain and Qatar. Out at sea, the chaos was even more dramatic: in the Strait of Hormuz, nearly 1,000 ships a day reported navigation signal failures, with some vessels broadcasting impossible positions, sometimes appearing to sail across dry land.
Why Does It Matter?
For everyday users, the glitch meant missed rides, lost deliveries, and a scramble to find alternative routes. But for airlines and shipping companies, the stakes were far higher. According to Reuters, false GPS data poses serious safety risks, complicating flight paths and maritime navigation at one of the world’s busiest chokepoints.
What’s Behind the Disruption?
Experts point to a surge in electronic interference, likely fueled by rising geopolitical tensions in the Gulf, especially following recent U.S. military actions in Iran. While systems gradually returned to normal by Sunday evening, the episode exposed just how vulnerable modern infrastructure is to digital interference.
What Should You Do?
If you’re in Bahrain or Qatar and your phone’s location seems off, try restarting your device, toggling location services, or manually setting your region and time. And keep an eye on official advisories for updates.
Sunday’s GPS meltdown is more than just a technical glitch—it’s a sign of the times in a region where digital systems and geopolitics are increasingly intertwined. As the Gulf braces for more turbulence, one thing is clear: in the digital age, even your map app isn’t immune to global tensions.