Navy Tells Sailors to Hide Military Ties Online as Iran War Leaves 18 Dead

2 articles · Updated · Task & Purpose · Aug 22

An Aug. 19 Navy notice told sailors and Marines to make social-media profiles private, remove signs of military affiliation and report surveillance, suspicious questioning and drone sightings.
Hung Cao said the order reflects a "coordinated, multi-domain campaign" by hostile actors since the Iran war began in February, including base surveillance, harassment operations, attempted attacks and doxxing of personnel and families.
The guidance goes beyond a spring warning from Cao's predecessor, John Phelan, which focused on cyber threats, by explicitly urging personnel to hide links to the Department of the Navy.
The warning follows repeated concerns that online and commercial data can expose U.S. forces; Sky News this month reported Strava data revealed routes at sites in Bahrain and Jordan, both hit during the war.
Since Feb. 28, the conflict has killed 18 U.S. troops and wounded more than 750, underscoring why the Navy is tightening digital-security precautions even during a lull in fighting.