(Image source from: indiatoday.in)

Orders to ban the use of social media by its personnel has been issued by the Indian Navy in order to curb cyber snooping, after the incident of an espionage racket with alleged links to Pakistan operating through Facebook took place on December 20.

The usage of smart phones within the area of all bases and on ships had been banned other than just banning the use of social media apps and websites like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram.

This was done for avoiding the navy personnel from becoming target of the spy traps on the social network which also protects the sensitive information that pertains to national security.

Seven Navy personnel and hawala operator from Vishakhapatnam and Mumbai respectively were arrested in the operation that was launched by the Andhra Pradesh Intelligence Department in association with Central Intelligence Agencies and Naval Intelligence. The seven Navy personnel and hawala operator who have been arrested have allegedly passed on sensitive information to the Pakistani handler.

The seven sailors were recruited in 2017 and had fallen prey to the honey trap on Facebook in September 2018 out of which three Indian Navy sailors were from Vishakhapatnam, two from Karwar naval base and two were from Mumbai naval base.

By Shrithika Kushangi