What are the Guidelines Related to Social Media That the Indian Army Has Advised in its New Policy

Udaipur, Dec 25, 2025: The Indian Army, on Thursday issued an updated policy outlining guideines on the use of social media applications like WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Instagram, among others, as per ANI reports. As per the guidelines, the report says, Indian Army personnel have been directed to keep the use of these social media apps passive. This means that the personnel can use these apps, only to view and monitor and not indulge in discussions in any form - 'No Comments/Views will be communicated on Instagram", it said.

Note the Guidelines:

• Posting user generated content, messages etc on any of these Apps is not permitted.
• YouTube, Quora, X (Twitter), Instagram: Passive use for accessing information and knowledge only.
• Skype, WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal: Exchange of unclassified information of general nature is permitted.
• Communication restricted to known contacts.
• LinkedIn: Only to upload Resume and / or seek information on prospective employers or employees.
• Personnel can flag fake and misleading posts and report those to seniors.

Indian Army issues policy on use of social media applications like Instagram and others, allowing personnel to access Instagram for "purposes of viewing and monitoring only. No comments/ views will be communicated on Instagram.": Defence Officials

For Apps like Skype, WhatsApp,… pic.twitter.com/hNRJ7L31pH

— ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2025

The Army has warned against the use of VPNs, Torrent websites, cracked software and anonymous web proxies. The Directive, issued by the Army Headquarters through the Directorate General of Military Intelligence (DGMI) has been implemented with immediate effect.