The Department of Defense announced a new policy that would allow troops to use social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Allowing the military to use social media outlets has been an issue for years. Though obvious security issues are involved, the Department of Defense has decided that allowing troops a social media outlet may be necessary in the twenty-first century. The use is limited because commanders are allowed to take the necessary steps to guard against cyber attacks and to secure mission information. Besides “pornography, gambling and hate-crime related” sites, the new procedure will lift the ban on all other sites. Then higher ranking officers will have the discretion to restrict access if needed.
Read more at the NY Times.