Indian Army Relaxes Social Media Policy, Allows ‘Passive Participation’

Context:
In a calibrated shift balancing operational security with the realities of the digital age, the Indian Army has relaxed its social media policy to permit “passive participation” by personnel on select platforms. Issued by the Directorate General of Military Intelligence (DGMI) and effective immediately, the revised guidelines aim to enable controlled information access while preventing risks related to information leakage, profiling, and cyber espionage.

Key Highlights:

Nature of Policy Relaxation

• Army personnel are now allowed passive participation on select social media platforms.

• Passive participation means:

  • Viewing, reading, and monitoring content only

  • No posting, commenting, liking, sharing, tagging, or messaging

• Active engagement remains strictly prohibited.

Platforms and Their Permitted Use

• Restricted to passive use (viewing only):

  • Instagram

  • X (formerly Twitter)

  • YouTube

  • Quora

• Communication platforms (limited use):

  • WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Skype

  • Allowed only for unclassified, general information

  • Communication must be with known and verified individuals

• Professional networking:

  • LinkedIn permitted for:

    • Uploading résumés

    • Employment and professional information

Security Safeguards

• Instagram formally added to the restricted-use list, accessible only for viewing and monitoring.

• Personnel advised to avoid:

  • Generic websites

  • Pirated software and free movie platforms

  • Torrent services, VPNs, anonymised websites

  • File-sharing platforms

• Emphasis on preventing:

  • Digital profiling

  • Malware infiltration

  • Intelligence gathering by adversaries

Continuity with Earlier Restrictions

• In July 2020, the Army had:

  • Directed deletion of Facebook and Instagram accounts

  • Banned 89 mobile applications

• The current move reflects a more nuanced, risk-managed approach, rather than blanket bans.

Rationale Behind the Move

• Acknowledges the importance of information awareness in modern warfare.

• Enables personnel to stay informed without compromising operational secrecy.

• Reflects evolving doctrines on cyber hygiene and information warfare.

Relevant Prelims Points:

• Issue: Regulation of social media use by armed forces.

• Key Authority: Directorate General of Military Intelligence (DGMI).

• Key Term:

  • Passive Participation – viewing content without interaction.

• Platforms Mentioned:

  • Instagram, X, YouTube, Quora, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, LinkedIn.

• Security Objective:

  • Protection of operational security and sensitive information.

• Impact:

  • Controlled digital access

  • Reduced cyber and intelligence risks

Relevant Mains Points:

• Internal Security Dimension:

  • Social media as a tool for hybrid warfare and intelligence gathering.

  • Importance of information discipline in armed forces.

• Governance Aspect:

  • Need for adaptive policies responding to technological change.

  • Balance between individual access and institutional security.

• Conceptual Clarity:

  • Operational Security (OPSEC): Measures to deny adversaries access to sensitive information.

  • Unclassified Information: Non-sensitive data that can be shared under controlled conditions.

• Way Forward:

  • Regular updating of digital conduct policies.

  • Continuous cyber security training for personnel.

  • Use of secure, indigenous communication platforms.

  • Strong monitoring and accountability mechanisms.

UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):

• GS Paper III – Internal Security: Cyber security, information warfare, military preparedness.

• GS Paper II – Governance: Policy adaptation, digital governance in security institutions.

• Prelims: DGMI, passive participation, operational security, social media regulation.