The U.S. military is allowing its troops access to social media websites, including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, after a review of Internet use and security. The ruling follows a Pentagon decision in 2007 to block those sites. –JCL

The BBC:

US troops are to be allowed to use social networking websites such as Twitter and Facebook following a review of internet use and security.

Defence department officials say the benefits of using social media now outweigh the risks to security.

The ruling means that a number of sites blocked by the Pentagon in 2007 – including YouTube – will be unblocked.

However, commanders will be able to temporarily block access to safeguard missions or save bandwidth.

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