The Indian military has relaxed its social media policy, allowing its personnel to access Instagram. However, there are certain restrictions in place. According to reports, military personnel will be able to use Instagram for viewing purposes only, and will not be permitted to post, like, or comment on any content. The existing rules regarding digital activities will continue to be enforced.
The new directives have been issued to all units and departments of the Indian military, with the aim of keeping its personnel informed and aware of the content available on social media. If any personnel come across fake or misleading posts, they can report them to their senior officers.
The Indian military had previously imposed strict restrictions on the use of social media platforms by its personnel due to security concerns. This was in response to instances of Indian military personnel falling prey to honey traps by foreign agencies, resulting in sensitive information being leaked.
Until 2019, Indian military personnel were not allowed to join any social media groups. In 2020, after several instances of misuse, the military tightened its rules and instructed personnel to delete 89 mobile apps, including Facebook and Instagram.
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