US troops given leave to Twitter

AMERICAN soldiers were yesterday told they can "tweet" if they want to.

The Pentagon officially lifted a ban on US rank-and-file personnel using social networking websites including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

All members of the American forces are still banned from revealing operational secrets. But now the US Department of Defence, in a clear sign of the growing importance of social networking sites, has announced its new policy on Facebook and Twitter as well as traditional media.

Deputy defence secretary William J Lynn III said: "This directive recognises the importance of balancing appropriate security measures while maximising the capabilities afforded by 21st-century internet tools."

US military personnel will not have unfettered access to the internet, however. Commanders will have the power to shut down tweeting soldiers, sailors or airmen if they have operational concerns or if the networking is putting too much pressure on forces' internet connection

Members of staff will not be allowed to access social networking sites from so-called "classified computers", PCs containing top-secret information.

Servicemen and women will be banned from using government computers to visit prohibited websites, including gambling and pornography sites or those advocating hate crimes.

Senior officers are already tweeting and some high-placed officials believe Twitter and Facebook may be the best way to reach personnel in their teens and 20s.

The chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, has more than 16,000 followers on Twitter. And the Pentagon has tweeted to give updates on its relief efforts in Haiti.

David Wennergren, deputy assistant secretary of defence, said the internet allowed troops to keep in touch with their loved ones.