The recent decision of the Indian Army to lift its five-year blanket ban on social media marks a pragmatic evolution in military policy. Issued through the Directorate General of Military Intelligence (DGMI) with immediate effect, the new guidelines permit soldiers to access Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) platforms strictly for viewing and monitoring, while maintaining prohibitions on posting, commenting, or any interactive engagement. This measured approach acknowledges the impossibility of isolating personnel from the digital world while preserving essential operational security.

The policy reverses the sweeping July 2020 ban that forced all officers and soldiers to delete their Facebook and Instagram accounts along with 89 other applications, primarily those with Chinese links like TikTok. That directive, issued amid heightened cyber security concerns and honey-trap operations by Pakistan’s ISI that led to sensitive information leaks, reflected legitimate security anxieties but proved increasingly untenable. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi’s recent remarks at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue acknowledged this reality, noting that while cadets initially struggle without phones at training academies, smartphones have become essential for soldiers stationed in remote areas to maintain family connections.
Link: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-indian-armys-new-social-media-policy-balances-security-and-connection-10444500/