Link to article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-10/adf-personnel-warned-about-social-media-use-after-instagram/12749150
Members of the Australian Defense Force (ADF) are being investigated in response to an offensive Instagram account. The account, under the name “State Sanctioned Violence”, has posted pro-violence messages, including content mocking allegations of war crimes in Afghanistan. A separate account, also linked to an ADF member, sold merchandise branding inflammatory phrases such as “Taliban Tears” and “Make Diggers Violent Again”.
About a month before ADF personnel were connected to the various Instagram accounts, an ADF spokespeople released a message stressing the importance that all ADF-involved individuals must strictly adhere to their social media guidelines. These regulations ban ADF personnel from creating or supporting any vulgar, profane, or abusive content, as well as other restrictions. The ADF spokesperson also stressed that members cannot hide behind screen names or fake identities; their online activity can be traced back to them, no matter the precautions taken.
1550 ADF personnel are currently deployed in Afghanistan as Australia’s contribution to a NATO-led security force. Australia first offered to deploy troops in Afghanistan following the September 11th terrorist attack on American soil. NATO is an example of an IGO, because multiple governments came together to form the organization. In Afghanistan, NATO focuses on training the Afghan National Army (ANA) in their fight against the Taliban.
Of course, not all ADF personnel agree with the political decision to have troops occupy parts of Afghanistan. To them, their social media posts were likely a form of protest against a decision they disagreed with. However, it is clearly stated in their social media outline that they are not allowed to voice their political opinions on personal social media while still serving in the Australia Defense Force.
Furthermore, it is incredibly unlikely that ADF officials would pull troops out of the NATO agreement because a few soldiers were vocal online about their unhappiness.