Taliban used Facebook to spy on soldiers, Australian Department of Defence report claims

Australian soldiers are being advised to avoid posting personal information online in light of a Review of Social Media and Defence report that claims Taliban forces have used services like Facebook to gather intelligence. The report, internally published in March, advises soldiers to avoid posting photos in uniform, revealing locations through geotagging, and to be wary of accepting friend requests from strangers. According to the review, “the Taliban have used pictures of attractive women” to gain access to soldiers’ profiles. While it’s hardly the style of cyberespionage depicted in movies, the Taliban’s methods have prompted an important warning for soldiers and civilians alike — guard your data well.