The U.S. Navy has ordered troops and their families to remove personal information from social media platforms. The directive came from Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, who urged personnel to purge details that could be exploited by adversaries. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) termed the initiative 'Epic VIGILANCE', aimed at safeguarding service members and their dependents. Cao described the threats as part of a broader, ongoing pattern rather than isolated incidents, calling it a deliberate effort to gather intelligence, test defenses, disrupt operations, and intimidate the force.
Service members have been instructed to set their accounts to private and delete posts containing personal details or affiliations with the Navy. The Department of the Navy also advised personnel to disable location services across all social media platforms. The announcement highlights that hostile actors are utilizing social media to harvest private information through doxing, surveillance, and harassment.
The 'Epic VIGILANCE' initiative further warns of escalating dangers, including drone surveillance and potential physical threats. Personnel were additionally directed to report any suspicious activity, such as being followed, photographed, or receiving unusual online messages.
The measure reflects heightened concerns among military leadership regarding digital security and operational safety. Officials emphasized that safeguarding personal data is critical to maintaining overall national security and preventing foreign adversaries from exploiting military families.