Is MySpace a Threat to National Security?

By Pamela Mortimer

While it makes sense that the Defense Department would want to put restrictions on web sites that might compromise national security, some say that the military’s new policy, which was drafted in February and implemented this week, goes too far. Those particularly incensed are the soldiers in Iraq, whose sole communication with their families may be through their online blogs, journals, and photos that are posted on MySpace and other popular sites. For those who have loved ones overseas, the communication afforded by these websites can give them an idea of what their soldiers may be going through and allowing civilians to take a peek inside the world of a soldier. Many believe that this is also a way to gain support from fellow citizens and allow people to understand exactly what is going on in Iraq.

However valuable these communications might be, The Pentagon cites that allowing soldiers to access social and personal web sites could breach security if the bloggers didn’t have enough sense to keep their missions—and perhaps locations—secret. Senior staff has been struggling for some time in order to find a balance between privacy laws and security issues. Along with the dissemination of classified information, the Pentagon fears that one of its own may unknowingly reveal details about specific procedures or military equipment, giving our enemy an edge that would otherwise not be readily available. After the initial announcement was made in February, soldiers were given the opportunity to request a waiver if the restricted sites were a necessary part of their jobs.

There are 13 web sites in total that will no longer be available to soldiers using the Defense Department network. The blocked sites are the video-sharing sites YouTube, FileCabi, StupidVideos, Ifilm, and Metacafe; social networking sites MySpace, BlackPlanet, and Hi5; popular music sites MTV, Pandora, 1.fm, and live365; and Photobucket, a photo-sharing site.

The Pentagon states that another reason for the ban is that the sites—particularly photo-sharing and video sites—put a significant strain on the system’s bandwidth and hamper their technological capabilities. These sites may also open up the Defense Department’s network system to phishing and hackers who may be able to outsmart the system through cloning and retrieve highly classified information. Some of the brass also think that the U.S. Government shouldn’t be paying to entertain our troops.

"The U.S. Army's not going to pay the bill for you to get on MySpace and YouTube," said Maj. Bruce Mumford, of Chester, Nebraska, who is serving as the brigade communications officer for the 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, in Iraq.

Although the ban applies to some of the most popular sites, it does not prohibit soldiers from using other web sites, such as Yahoo!, that can also be used to send photos and blogs. The best answer for those who still want to use the restricted sites? Find a local Internet café that isn’t run by the government.