Twittering Troops

US troops have finally gained access to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, with a new policy passed by the Pentagon on Friday last week.  Announced with a Twitter update from Price Floyd – (Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs); the memo acknowledged ‘Internet-based Capabilities’ (YouTube, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc.) play an integral role within the Department of Defence.  Previously US military had been hesitant with the public nature of social media, but it appears top leaders have come around to online dealings, with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff acquiring a Twitter account in April last year.

Despite the new freedoms, troops will still be denied access to “prohibited content” – hate crime-related content, pornography and gambling.  Commanders and Heads of the DoD will still have the right to restrict online usage to “preserve operations security.”

[via Wired]

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