MoD warns against revealing secrets on social networking sites

Top brass at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have warned men and women serving in the armed forces against revealing secrets on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.

New guidance from the MoD is "aimed at encouraging Service personnel and MoD civilians to carefully consider possible repercussions before posting information".

The strongly-worded advice came from Major General John Lorimer, the Chief of the Defence Staff's Strategic Communications Officer, who claimed, however, he was not attempting to impose a gag.

The guidance "advises them not to put themselves or others at increased risk by releasing too much information about themselves or other operational details".

Called "Think Before You...", it will be incorporated into Phase 1 training, which is given to personnel when they first join the armed services, and into other mandated training materials for serving personnel.

It is intended as "a reminder that personal and operational security should be a primary concern and that social media merely provides a different context where sensitive details can be found".

Risks are said to include posting details and locations of troop movements, operational events, locations and travel details of ships or aircraft, as well as people's home addresses which, if inadvertently released, could give enemies the upper hand.

Lorimer said social media had helped personnel to stay in touch with families and friends when serving outside the UK.

He said: "We want our men and women to embrace the use of sites like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube, but also want them to be aware of the risks that sharing too much information may pose. You don't always know who else is watching in cyberspace."

He added: "We are not here to gag people because we acknowledge the ubiquity and significant benefits that social media offers to people and the MoD. I am a big fan of Facebook and Twitter and I use them on a regular basis. These channels are vital to communicating in a digital age."