Restrictions on the use of mobile satellite telephones were imposed during a war in the Middle East some years ago. In particular the selected journalists, who were given the opportunity to observe military operations, often called journalists "embedded" with the troops, were not allowed to use satellite phones. The reason for this order was less the concern that the reporters might transmit classified, secret information, but that their equipment might do so without them even knowing it.

Mobile satellite phones of the "Thuraya" system, widely used in the area concerned, automatically transmit their exact position whenever they log into the network. This information could possibly be intercepted and used by one of the parties to the conflict. To establish its position, the phone uses its built-in GPS receiver. Not all countries within the range of a satellite system have licensing agreements with its operator, and the purpose of the location of the subscriber is primarily to ensure compliance with restrictions of the use of the system in places where it is not authorized by the respective national authority.

Terrestrial mobile phones such as those of the GSM system have, by the way, a similar capability: While they do not use satellite navigation, the cellular base station accessed and in some cases even their location within the range of this station can be determined by the network operator. In emergency situation such information can be very valuable, as it allows determining the location of an incident even if a caller cannot describe his or her exact position.