Citing security threats, Army told to quit WhatsApp groups with non-serving members

Tribune Web Desk 
Chandigarh, July 10 

The Army has been instructed to quit any social media groups where non-serving people, including Army veterans, are members.   

The officer-only groups would be checked from time to time for any breach of security. 

The order that was issued last month required all serving officers to exit WhatsApp and other social media groups except those consisting of serving officers, whose identity could be verified. 

The new policy also restrained their families from posting information about the serving officers on social media.

In the groups, the directive allowed posts on general enquiries and assistance. 

For any location-specific communication, the officers have been advised to go “one-on-one” and use the military tel service.

“This is a cautionary step in line with the guidelines the Army keeps issuing from time to time. This is a new-age security requirement and it will not be right to call this censorship,” said a senior Army officer.