In a move balancing operational security with the need for digital awareness, the Indian Army has issued a revised social media policy for its personnel. The updated guidelines, effective immediately, permit soldiers and officers to access Instagram, but strictly in a "view-only" mode. This means that while personnel can monitor and view content on the platform for informational purposes, any form of interaction, including posting, commenting, sharing, reacting, or sending messages, remains prohibited.
The directive, issued by Army Headquarters through the Directorate General of Military Intelligence (DGMI), emphasizes "passive participation," clarifying that engagement of any kind is not allowed. Existing social media guidelines have been updated to formally include Instagram under restricted-use platforms. The policy explicitly states that Army personnel will not communicate views, opinions or messages on Instagram. Individual users are solely responsible for correct and secure usage.
Similar restrictions continue to apply to other platforms such as YouTube and X (formerly Twitter), which are also allowed only for passive consumption. The Army has also reiterated its warning against the use of VPNs, torrent websites, cracked software, and anonymous web proxies, citing security risks linked to such tools.
The Army's move reflects an attempt to balance digital awareness with operational security, allowing soldiers to stay informed without exposing themselves or their units to potential vulnerabilities. The Indian Army has periodically issued and revised social media guidelines over the years, covering platforms such as Facebook, X and Instagram. These restrictions were tightened after multiple instances in which personnel were targeted through honey traps by foreign agencies, leading to inadvertent leakage of sensitive information.
The updated framework also addresses the use of other social media platforms. Personnel are authorized to use LinkedIn, primarily for professional networking and career development, but only for uploading resumes and seeking information on potential employers. Prior permission from the Directorate General of Military Intelligence (DGMI) is required. Platforms like Skype, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal are permitted for exchanging unclassified information of a general nature, but only with known individuals, with users responsible for correctly identifying recipients. The new guidelines restrict the uploading of user-generated content and messages.
Responding to concerns about balancing discipline with the digital habits of younger generations, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi recently addressed the issue at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue. He acknowledged the challenge of integrating young cadets, who are digital natives, into a system that requires strict adherence to security protocols.
The Army also runs its own official social media handles, which serve as authorized sources of information. Under the updated framework, soldiers may use social media to gather general information, upload resumes or explore professional opportunities, provided all security protocols are strictly followed and no instructions are violated.
