Leaks have doubled in five years, with latest figures showing 817 in the first half of 2015.
Gaffes include Navy staff posting details of a ship’s secret mission on Facebook, passcodes to MoD secure cabinets and doors, and a soldier’s official ID card containing sensitive data put on the site.
Fourteen breaches over the 12 months ending last April involved social media, compared to 15 in the whole of the previous four years.
One naval rating revealed the type and quantity of ammunition loaded on to a vessel, while another breach saw classified RAF information and photos — including damage to an aircraft — put on Instagram.
In two cases, videos and images of military operations went online. And a “sensitive” threat to personnel and their families was put on Facebook.
Chiefs admitted the leaks after Freedom of Information requests. Previous blunders include a ten-minute video montage of “restricted” warzone operations showing people and equipment in Afghanistan, which was shared on YouTube.
An internet security expert said: “It is amazing how many people drop their guard when they use sites like Facebook and Twitter.
“They might think they’re confiding in friends or family, but potentially their information could be viewed by anybody.”
Defence employees are told in their code of conduct: “Remember you are a member of HM Forces/MoD civil servant. Observe the same high standard online as expected of you in your professional or personal life.”
An MoD spokesman said the rise was “in part down to better reporting” but added: “Any breach is unacceptable, will be investigated and can lead to disciplinary action.”
Military leaks soaring because bungling troops are posting secrets online - TOP SECRET
22 February 2016
Read: 3173
DOZY troops are posting military secrets on Twitter and Facebook as defence chiefs battle record numbers of security breaches.
-1735029322.jpg&h=120&w=187&zc=1&q=70')
