Soldiers Banned From MySpace and Facebook

[ALien]

Soldiers have been told to stop using social networking websites like MySpace and Facebook, after military officials ruled it could lead to a security breach.

Posting information on the internet through blogging, joining in forum discussions or online multiplayer games is now considered "public disclosure of information".

There are concerns that British Army personnel may inadvertently disclose confidential information.

However, the move has angered troops who regularly use networking sites to keep in touch with family and friends.

An NCO in Afghanistan told The Sun: "The fun police have taken over. I can't talk to my wife and kids or even play Call of Duty 5. Do they really think we're going to give away secrets?"

Another soldier said: "It's the most offensive thing I've ever heard. We're prepared to die for the country and are treated like children.

"I am going to ignore it. A lot of the lads are going to do the same."

Even officers are not exempt from the rule.

Generals who wish to talk with the media is now advised to ask permission of a Government minister.

It is also believed that Ministry of Defence officials want to stop criticism of defence policy on military chat forums like the Army Rumour Service.

The order, titled Contact With The Media and Communicating In Public, was issued on February 4.

British Armed Forces Federation spokesman Adrian Weale told The Sun: "You can't treat service personnel like children. They are in the front-line of the war against terrorism but the MoD doesn't trust them to behave responsibly online."

However, an MoD spokesman said the guidelines were not an outright ban.

He said: "Of course soldiers are allowed to go on Facebook and contribute to blogs.

"But we need to ensure sensitive information is not inadvertently placed in the public domain. A routine instruction has merely been refreshed and reissued."

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[Monkey]

Fall in! Has everyone blogged today!! Yes sir! I can't heeeaaarrr yoouuuu! YES SIR!! Listen up troops. The enemy is watching us! Reading our blogs about how shitty your day was, looking at our personal info on Facebook and selling it to Nigerians in Iran wishing to smuggle inheritance money to the US. They WANT us to hook up with young girls and guys for booty calls on MySpace so the population will increase with fatherless children. Be sure to set your profile to private or you'll be shipped to the front as a pop up target.

[Tecnos]

I can see why they have banned the use of social networking sites. It's common sense that information can be gathered for nefarious purposes.

[Truthed]

Originally Posted by Tecnos

I can see why they have banned the use of social networking sites. It's common sense that information can be gathered for nefarious purposes.

LOL like what? Private Jim Jones enjoys Greenday and his favorite food is tacos?

[Tecnos]

No, his wife, if he has children, pics of him, which state he lives in, which school he went to.... and put close communities together and I'm sure you'd find Jim Jones' wife, his kids, his house.....

[kidflash2008]

"THIS IS MY RIFLE, THIS IS MY GUN. THIS IS FOR KILLING, THIS IS FOR FUN!"

I do love that movie!

I think the main problem with the pages mentioned is they do take a lot of bandwidth overseas. It also takes a couple of persons to inadvertently say something that could give away sensitive information. When in the military, people do give up some of their rights they take for granted outside of the military.

[Truthed]

Originally Posted by Tecnos

No, his wife, if he has children, pics of him, which state he lives in, which school he went to.... and put close communities together and I'm sure you'd find Jim Jones' wife, his kids, his house.....

One of my best friends is fighting in Iraq, and facebook is basically the only venue we have to stay in touch. I dont think it puts his girlfriend in danger, but i can see your point as well. Maybe just strip down their profiles to not have connections with other people. Allow private messages etc...

[kidflash2008]

No soldier has a right to use any type of means to communicate. If the military deems it to risky, then they will have to do the original ways of communication, and that is snail mail.

[Truthed]

Originally Posted by kidflash2008

No soldier has a right to use any type of means to communicate. If the military deems it to risky, then they will have to do the original ways of communication, and that is snail mail.

Well then I guess we will just have to get out of this bullshit war and bring them home

[ALien]

Corporal Henderson is... killing mad dudes lol! [update your status]