The US Marines have banned staff from using social media
sites including Twitter.
The sites are considered a
security risk, although marines whose work relies on access to
them can apply to use them. This includes staff in press relations,
criminal investigations and recruitment.
The US defence
department is currently reviewing its
policies on the use of social networking sites, and the chief
information officer at the Pentagon has been asked to examine the
options for dealing with the
threats and benefits of the sites.
Bosses say social media creates too large a window for
cyber attacks and makes leaking information too easy.
The approach is different to other parts of the military, which
have embraced networking sites. The US Army made a well-publicised
announcement that it wanted as
many Twitter followers as actor Ashton Kutcher. Many defence
organisations see the sites as a way of increasing support and
communication, but they have to be carefully balanced with security
concerns.