DoD Instruction 5400.17
DoD Instruction 5400.17
17
OFFICIAL USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS
PURPOSES
Originating Component: Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs
Releasability: Cleared for public release. Available on the Directives Division Website
at https://www.esd.whs.mil/DD/.
Approved by: Gordon Trowbridge, Acting Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for
Public Affairs
Change 1 Approved by: Christopher Meagher, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public
Affairs
Purpose: In accordance with the authority in DoD Directive (DoDD) 5122.05 and DoD Instruction
(DoDI) 8170.01, this issuance:
• Establishes policies and provides procedures:
o For initiating an external official presence (EOP) on social media platforms for public affairs
(PA) purposes.
o To maintain an EOP on social media platforms.
• Assigns responsibility to OSD and DoD Components for EOP on social media platforms.
• Provides:
o Core principles regarding social media use within DoD.
o Guidance regarding records management procedures for social media accounts.
o Guidance on personal social media use by DoD personnel.
DoDI 5400.17, August 12, 2022
Change 1, January 24, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1: GENERAL ISSUANCE INFORMATION .............................................................................. 4
1.1. Applicability. .................................................................................................................... 4
1.2. Policy. ............................................................................................................................... 4
1.3. Summary of Change 1. ...................................................................................................... 4
SECTION 2: RESPONSIBILITIES ......................................................................................................... 5
2.1. Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs (ATSD(PA)). ........................... 5
2.2. DoD Chief Information Officer. ....................................................................................... 5
2.3. OSD and DoD Component Heads. ................................................................................... 6
SECTION 3: CORE PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL MEDIA USE WITHIN DOD .............................................. 7
3.1. Official Use of Social Media. ........................................................................................... 7
3.2. DoD Social Media Principles............................................................................................ 7
a. Governance. ................................................................................................................... 7
b. Professionalism. ............................................................................................................. 7
c. Propriety. ........................................................................................................................ 8
d. Acumen. ......................................................................................................................... 8
e. Establishment Need........................................................................................................ 8
f. Transparency. ................................................................................................................. 8
SECTION 4: DOD EOP ................................................................................................................... 10
4.1. Establishing An Official Presence. ................................................................................. 10
a. Considerations Concerning Official Accounts............................................................. 10
b. Registering an Account. ............................................................................................... 11
c. Establishing EOPs for OSD and DoD Component Heads. .......................................... 11
d. EOPs Below the Component Level. ............................................................................ 11
4.2. New and Emerging Platforms. ........................................................................................ 12
SECTION 5: BRANDING GUIDELINES .............................................................................................. 13
5.1. Clear Identification. ........................................................................................................ 13
5.2. Official DoD and Military Department and Service Seals vs. Emblems and Logos. ..... 13
SECTION 6: AUTHORIZED ACCOUNTS ............................................................................................ 14
6.1. Official Social Media Conduct. ...................................................................................... 14
6.2. PA Official Use of Social Media. ................................................................................... 16
a. Official Organizational Accounts. ............................................................................... 16
b. Official Institutional Accounts..................................................................................... 16
c. Official Individual Accounts. ....................................................................................... 17
6.3. Military Marketing and Recruitment Accounts. ............................................................. 17
SECTION 7: MAINTAINING AN EOP ............................................................................................... 18
7.1. Records Management...................................................................................................... 18
a. DoD Information Security............................................................................................ 18
b. Managing Social Media Records. ................................................................................ 18
c. Capturing Social Media................................................................................................ 18
d. Private or Direct Messages from DoD Social Media Accounts. ................................. 19
e. Account Transition and Archiving of Official Social Media Accounts. ...................... 19
7.2. Use of PAI For PA. ......................................................................................................... 20
7.3. Risks Associated with Operating EOP. .......................................................................... 21
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2
DoDI 5400.17, August 12, 2022
Change 1, January 24, 2023
a. Social Media Cyber-Vandalism. .................................................................................. 21
b. Fake or Imposter Social Media Accounts of DoD Employees and Service Members. 21
7.4. Linking and Sharing from Official Social Media Accounts. .......................................... 22
7.5. Social Media Platform VerIfied Accounts. ..................................................................... 23
SECTION 8: PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA USE BY DOD PERSONNEL ................................................. 24
a. Maintain a Clear Distinction Between Personal and Official Accounts. ..................... 24
b. Do Not Disclose Non-Public Information. .................................................................. 24
c. Do Not Conduct Official Business on Personal Social Media Accounts..................... 25
d. Do Not Accept Compensation for any Activity Relating to One’s Status as a DoD
Civilian Employee or Military Service Member......................................................... 25
e. Do Not Engage in Prohibited Political Activity, as Defined in Applicable Law and
Regulation. .................................................................................................................. 25
GLOSSARY ..................................................................................................................................... 26
G.1. Acronyms. ...................................................................................................................... 26
G.2. Definitions...................................................................................................................... 26
REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................. 28
FIGURES
Figure 1. Mandatory Acceptable Use Policy Agreement Statements .......................................... 11
Figure 2 Sample Disclaimer for Personal Social Media Accounts .............................................. 24
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
DoDI 5400.17, August 12, 2022
Change 1, January 24, 2023
1.1. APPLICABILITY.
a. This issuance:
(1) Applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of Inspector General of
the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other
organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in this issuance as the “DoD
Components”).
(2) Does not apply to social media accounts established for marketing activities by
Military Service recruiting commands, in accordance with DoDI 1304.35.
b. Nothing in this issuance should be construed as preventing the Inspector General of the
Department of Defense from fulfilling their duties pursuant to Sections 7321-7326 of Title 5,
United States Code (U.S.C.), Appendix, also known as the Inspector General Act of 1978, as
amended.
1.2. POLICY.
a. It is DoD policy to use official DoD accounts on non-DoD controlled social media
platforms to amplify timely and relevant information about the national security, defense
strategy, and appropriate unclassified work of the Department.
(1) The ability to adapt to changing trends and technologies on dynamic social media
platforms is needed to take full advantage of social media as a communication tool and in
support of the National Defense Strategy in accordance with Section 113(g) of Title 10, U.S.C.
(3) Information communicated by OSD and DoD Components on official social media
accounts constitutes a segment of PA activities, in accordance with DoDI 5400.13,
DoDD 5122.05, and this issuance.
(4) Information disclosed will be in compliance with the DoD Principles of Information
in accordance with DoDD 5122.05.
This change is administrative and clarifies the training required for social media managers.
SECTION 2: RESPONSIBILITIES
The ATSD(PA):
a. Is the principal spokesperson for DoD and responsible for ensuring a free flow of
information to the news media, general public, internal audiences of DoD, and other applicable
forums through official DoD social media accounts managed by OSD and DoD Components, in
accordance with DoDD 5122.05.
b. Provides the final approval for all EOPs established by OSD and DoD Component heads
in accordance with DoDI 8170.01 concerning the use of social media.
c. May direct the removal of any official social media account that does not adhere to the
policy, procedures, and instructions provided in this issuance.
e. Provides guidance and direction for OSD and DoD Components to use publicly available
information (PAI) for PA activities through third-party social media management platforms, in
accordance with DoDD 3115.18.
b. On a limited, case-by-case basis, reviews requests by OSD and DoD Component heads to
negotiate terms of service with a non-DoD controlled electronic messaging service. In
coordination with the ATSD(PA), Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer, and DoD
Office of General Counsel, the DoD Chief Information Officer reviews the request in accordance
with DoDI 8170.01.
SECTION 2: RESPONSIBILITIES 5
DoDI 5400.17, August 12, 2022
Change 1, January 24, 2023
2.3. OSD AND DOD COMPONENT HEADS.
a. May establish EOPs for their Components, in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.
c. For any EOP they establish, ensure proper management of records created or received
through activity of the EOP throughout the lifecycle of the records in accordance with
DoDI 5015.02.
SECTION 2: RESPONSIBILITIES 6
DoDI 5400.17, August 12, 2022
Change 1, January 24, 2023
b. If social media is mismanaged or mishandled, the U.S. Government’s reputation with the
American public; relationships with interagency, international, State, local, and tribal entities;
military operations; and reputation for a high ethical and professional standard may be
compromised. DoD social media content can be consumed by any audience, intended or
unintended, foreign or domestic. All DoD PA and social media managers should understand that
even the smallest or newest official account will be interpreted as a representative of the whole
of DoD.
c. DoD personnel may establish accounts for personal, non-official use in accordance with
DoDI 8170.01. Personal accounts may not be used to conduct official DoD communications,
unless by exception identified in Paragraph 3.26.a of DoDI 8170.01. DoD personnel must ensure
that their personal social media accounts avoid use of DoD titles, insignia, uniforms, or symbols
in a way that could imply DoD sanction or endorsement of the content. Where confusion or
doubt is likely to arise regarding the personal nature of social media activities, personnel are
encouraged to include a disclaimer clarifying that their social media communications reflect only
their personal views and do not necessarily represent the views of their agency or the United
States. See Section 8 of this instruction for additional guidance on the personal use of social
media by DoD personnel.
The following principles will apply to official use of social media for PA purposes:
a. Governance.
OSD and DoD Component PA teams oversee and provide guidance on the use and
management of official DoD social media accounts. Communications will align with and
support PA objectives and efforts across all platforms.
b. Professionalism.
All official social media content is a reflection of the Department. When posting to official
social media accounts, content should meet well-defined, appropriate objectives. Public Affairs
Officers will remain respectful, responsive, and genuine, and exercise the same high standard of
professional and ethical behavior on social media accounts as they do during any other function
or on any other platform. Content should inspire and engage with audiences. At no time,
however, should such content undermine the Department’s efforts to remain a good steward of
c. Propriety.
Posts released from official DoD social media accounts must be:
(2) Appropriate. The account is the proper vehicle for the message.
(4) In the Appropriate Tone. The message is being delivered in the proper tone.
(5) Approved for public release. The message has been reviewed for operations security
and information security concerns and approved for public release, in accordance with
DoDIs 5230.09 and 5230.29, as applicable.
d. Acumen.
PA officers and social media account managers should proactively maintain currency in the
latest social media tactics, best practices, and trends, coupled with an understanding of and
ability to apply PA objectives (e.g., as articulated in the DoD Communications Playbook).
Social media account managers must complete Operations Security Awareness for Military
Members, DoD Employees, and Contractors (GS130.16) and be prepared to act quickly and
implement evolving capabilities intelligently to remain effective in the use of the platform.
e. Establishment Need.
f. Transparency.
Social media account managers will not remove social media content from official DoD
accounts unless there is a factual or typographical error; violation of a law, policy, term of
service, or user agreement; or an operations or information security concern. Removal of content
will be publicly acknowledged and communicated to audiences to provide context and
appropriate clarification for the action; managers must persistently monitor, communicate, and,
where appropriate, responsively engage with users regarding such removal. Removal of content
can unintentionally discredit DoD information if the action appears to be taken to:
(1) OSD and DoD Components must assess the communication value of establishing an
official presence on approved social media platforms to provide timely and accurate information
to the public and the news media in accordance with DoDD 5122.05 and Paragraph 3.24 of
DoDI 8170.01.
(2) The creation of EOPs on social media platforms should be carefully considered and
avoided, unless the proposed EOP meets a specific communications objective that is not being
fulfilled by any existing EOP or other PA activities. Commands at all levels will consolidate and
deactivate EOPs that detract or disrupt users searching for official DoD information. Content on
any deactivated official accounts must be archived in accordance with DoDI 5015.02.
(3) Organizations that identify a communication need that can be satisfied through social
media should evaluate available resources to establish and manage an account with the intent to
build and engage audiences, and use analytics to elevate their digital impact.
(4) PA offices should be resourced with the industry standard equipment, training, and
personnel to manage social media accounts, especially over multiple social media platforms,
including public web activities pursuant to DoDD 5122.05.
(6) DoD personnel managing or having access to an official social media account will
coordinate with their local information technology offices and sign an acceptable use policy
agreement for tracking purposes in accordance with Component cybersecurity regulations.
(7) Acceptable use policy agreements must include the statements in Figure 1. If the
existing acceptable use policy agreement does not contain the language in Figure 1, it should be
amended accordingly or a standalone acknowledgement containing the language in Figure 1
should be signed.
I will use official DoD social media accounts on non-DoD-controlled social media platforms
(e.g., Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram) only as authorized by my job or duty
description and to conduct official business, including to release official agency information or
other official communication. I will not use personal social media accounts to conduct official
business except as authorized in accordance with DoDI 8170.01.
b. Registering an Account.
(1) All DoD owned and/or operated social media accounts must be registered at
https://www.defense.gov/Resources/Register-a-Site/ and must register with the U.S. Digital
Registry at https://www.digitalgov.gov/services/u-s-digital-registry/ in accordance with
DoDI 8170.01.
(2) Registering accounts constitutes the official status for DoD social media accounts on
authorized platforms.
(1) In coordination with the ATSD(PA), OSD and DoD Component heads approve the
creation of individual social media accounts for their positions. OSD and DoD Component
heads will submit an action memo to the ATSD(PA) requesting the establishment of a new
individual or institutional social media account.
(2) DoD personnel, including OSD and DoD Component heads and other military and
civilian leaders, are prohibited from converting personal accounts to official DoD accounts
associated with their DoD position, title, duty, component, or any other DoD organizational
entity.
(3) OSD and DoD Component heads are authorized to close or archive any social media
accounts deemed unnecessary and of no informational value to the public, media, or mission of
the Component. The process to archive and close a social media account is provided in
Paragraph 7.1.e.
(1) OSD and DoD Component heads, in consultation with PA, will review and determine
the criteria for establishing an EOP for elements within their responsibility to operate and
execute their PA activities. PA representatives should assess establishing an EOP based on
mission or operational needs and support of approved communication plans and campaigns.
(2) EOPs at all levels must follow the procedures, policies, and guidelines outlined in
this issuance. Organizations that establish an EOP will provide guidance to social media
managers to effectively direct activities and properly maintain the organization’s public
presence.
a. PA and social media managers must consider the communication value of expanding their
digital presence and conduct researched analysis of new platforms. Some of the elements that
PA and social media managers should consider include, but are not limited to, audience analysis,
content strategy for the platform, and available resources. Approving officials should obtain
data-driven decisions from PA and social media managers and ensure compliance with
Paragraph 3.24 of DoDI 8170.01 before accepting recommendations to expand their digital
footprint.
b. The process to review platforms for official presence requires an application to be vetted
through the Defense Information Systems Agency’s DoD Application Vetting Environment. The
application must be submitted after coordination with the Component Chief Information Officer
to ensure all information provided s complete.
c. Once the DoD Application Vetting Environment review process is completed, the Defense
Information Systems Agency will issue a decision. This decision is applicable for all OSD and
DoD Components and is considered final.
d. PA and social media managers should not test, use, or otherwise engage on new platforms
for official use (including on personal devices) prior to undertaking the steps in
Paragraphs 4.2.a- c.
To maintain an EOP, all DoD Components will adhere to branding guidelines in accordance with
DoDD 5535.09 and:
a. Provide clear identification that they are supplying the content for the EOP.
b. State their mission and provide the purpose of the EOP, as workable.
c. Will not mislead users of the site as to the originator of the EOP.
5.2. OFFICIAL DOD AND MILITARY DEPARTMENT AND SERVICE SEALS VS.
EMBLEMS AND LOGOS.
a. The use of the official DoD seal, official Military Department seals, and official Military
Service seals on EOP accounts is reserved for official communication only, such as letterheads,
and briefing documents. The use of DoD and Military Service emblems, logos, or coats of arms
may be more appropriate for general use on EOPs to affiliate the account with DoD. Social
media managers should reference Component guidance for the appropriate uses of Component
marks for official social media use.
b. DoD and OSD Components should develop Component-specific guidance for the use of
their emblems or logos on EOPs and social media content.
a. All EOPs and their content represent DoD, reflect the values of the Department, and serve
as official communication platforms to the general public, the news media, and internal
audiences of DoD. Content posted on official accounts is subject to the same guidance, policy,
regulations, and oversight for the release of official DoD information.
b. PA chiefs and social media managers must establish communication planning techniques
to ensure the information published on a social media account is synchronized and approved for
release. Social media content management software and tools may be used for PA activities.
c. PA chiefs, social media managers, and other DoD personnel operating official individual
accounts must ensure all content is reviewed and approved for public release in accordance with
DoDIs 5230.09 and 5230.29, as applicable.
d. While not exhaustive, the following restrictions apply to the official use of social media
by DoD personnel. Restrictions pertaining to the personal use of social media by DoD personnel
are addressed in Section 8 of this instruction and in the standards of conduct that apply to DoD
personnel through DoD 5500.07-R and applicable Office of Government Ethics regulations.
(a) Use their official position or public office for private gain, for the endorsement of
any product, service, or enterprise, or for the private gain of friends, relatives, or other
acquaintances.
(b) Use or permit the use of their government position or title or any authority
associated with their public office in a manner that is intended to coerce or induce another person
to provide any benefit, financial or otherwise, to themselves or to friends, relatives, or persons
with whom the employees are affiliated in a nongovernmental capacity.
(c) Use their government position or title in a manner that could reasonably be
construed to imply that the government endorses or sanctions their personal activities or those of
another. The use of one’s official position or public office may include the use of any reference
to one’s status, name, image, or likeness as a DoD employee or member of the uniformed
services.
Section 2635 of Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations and DoD 5500.07-R require that
DoD personnel use official time in an honest effort to perform official duties. These regulations
and standards also require employees and Service members to protect and conserve government
(a) DoD personnel may not disclose non-public information on official or personal
social media accounts. They will not allow the improper use of non-public information to further
their own private interest or that of another.
(b) PA offices, social media managers, and other DoD personnel operating EOP
accounts will report known or suspected occurrences of information on the accounts that is not
authorized for release to their Component’s security office and insider threat hub, and respond
based on applicable DoD policy.
DoD personnel must only use official DoD social media accounts to disseminate official
information. DoD personnel are prohibited from using personal social media accounts for
official purposes, including for conveying DoD information or official DoD positions. This does
not prohibit using personal social media accounts to forward, like, or link to official information,
provided it is done in a manner that does not express or imply DoD sanction or endorsement of
any personal content.
(a) Engaging in political activity on official DoD social media and EOP platforms is
prohibited. Additionally, DoD personnel may not engage in political activity, on their personal
social media, while in the Federal workplace or while on-duty including while teleworking.
Political activity is defined as an activity directed toward the success or failure of a political
party, candidate for partisan political office or partisan political group.
(b) Certain DoD personnel have additional restrictions. Guidance on political activity
restrictions is available from the DoD Standards of Conduct Office, https://dodsoco.ogc.osd.mil/.
In accordance with DoDI 1020.03 and DoDI 1020.04, all DoD personnel must maintain
an appropriate level of professional conduct and treat others in the workplace with dignity and
respect. Military personnel are prohibited from actively participating in extremist activities in
accordance with DoDI 1325.06, which can include activity on social media. At all times, DoD
personnel must adhere to the terms of service and community guidelines dictated by the social
media platform and to applicable DoD discrimination, harassment, and extremism policies. On
official DoD social media and EOP platforms, engaging in activities that are illegal,
inappropriate, or offensive to fellow users or to the public is prohibited. Such activities include,
but are not limited to:
(a) Hate speech or material that ridicules others on the basis of race, religion, color,
sex, disability, national origin, gender-identity, or sexual orientation.
(7) Children.
Agency social media accounts may not collect any personal information from children
(i.e., individuals under the age of 13), consistent with the standards of the Children’s Online
Privacy Protection Act (Section 6501-6506 of Title 15, U.S.C.) as applied to Federal agencies by
Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-03-22.
(8) Professionalism.
All DoD personnel must limit the collection, use, maintenance, and dissemination of PII
in accordance with DoDI 5400.11.
There are three types of official social media accounts for official use within DoD:
organizational, institutional, and individual. These account types are used to release official
DoD information and visual information materials. Any public disclosures must comply with
DoDI 5230.09 and DoDI 5230.29, as applicable.
(1) Official institutional accounts are denominated only with an official position title
(e.g., @SecDef, @DepSecDef) and are not associated with a personal name. These accounts are
managed by the individual in the position in coordination with a PA office.
(2) When the official vacates the position, social media managers will archive the
content of their account. PA representatives will assess the communication value to transition
the account to the incoming official or archive the account. The out-going official is prohibited
from maintaining the account. If the account is archived, PA and social media managers will
(2) Individuals may not merge, rename, or convert a personal account or prior non-DoD
account into a DoD EOP.
(3) Individuals serving in DoD who assume a new position and title within DoD may not
merge, rename, or convert a prior official individual account to a personal account. The prior
individual account expires once the individual is no longer associated with the position or title.
(4) Individuals with an official DoD individual account who depart DoD may not merge,
rename, or convert the official DoD individual account into another account, personal or
otherwise. The prior DoD individual account expires once the individual is no longer associated
with the DoD position or title.
(5) Individuals from one OSD or DoD Component who are assigned to another joint,
interagency, intergovernmental, or multinational entity may establish an EOP for their position in
this new entity in accordance with Paragraph 4.1. The social media account is non-transferrable
and expires once the individual is no longer associated with that entity.
Although this issuance does not apply to military recruitment/marketing accounts, social media
accounts for PA activities may support local or national recruitment efforts by amplifying
appropriate content on their account. In accordance with DoDI 1304.35, recruiting personnel
will coordinate with local PA chiefs when conducting marketing engagement or other
community events, in accordance with Paragraph 3.3 of DoDI 1304.35.
DoD personnel must ensure that only information authorized for release is released to the
public via social media, in accordance with DoDIs 5230.09 and 5230.29, as applicable.
(2) The records associated with the EOP will be managed in accordance with the
appropriate OSD or DoD Component records schedule pursuant to Part 1226 of Title 36, Code of
Federal Regulations.
(3) A complete social media Federal record must have content, context, and structure,
along with associated metadata. The complete record must be maintained pursuant to OSD or
DoD Component records management policies and procedures to ensure reliability and
authenticity.
(4) Derogatory, inappropriate, and offensive content posted on an EOP by a user on the
platform must be addressed in accordance with the terms of service and acceptable online
conduct guidelines. Social media and records managers should evaluate the content in context,
including whether a DoD response was provided, to determine if the post is a Federal record.
(1) Social media managers and other DoD personnel responsible for retaining social
media content on behalf of their component can use the following non-exhaustive list of
questions to help determine the appropriate disposition authorities applicable to a social media
post:
(c) Does the agency use the social media platform to convey official agency
information?
(e) Using tools built into some social media platforms to export content.
(3) The options for successful social media capture will depend on the technical
configuration of a social media platform. Component needs may also affect which social media
capture method is used. Once the Component determines the capture method, they must provide
training to applicable staff on how and when to use capture tools for social media. Components
may need to work with third-party providers to implement social media capture.
(2) Private or direct messaging is allowed if PA and social media managers identify a
specific need to remain responsive to authentic public interest or questions.
(3) Due to potential preservation issues, DoD social media accounts may not send direct
or private electronic messages that automatically expire.
Consistent with Paragraph 6.2 of this instruction, DoD personnel operating an EOP may not
retain official accounts or access to any official accounts in a personal capacity after departing
the government or the government position associated with the account, as applicable.
(a) Within 30 days after the departure of the official associated with the institutional
account, content posted to the account during the departing official’s tenure must be managed
and preserved in accordance with the proper records schedule.
(b) OSD and DoD Components should follow the most pertinent records schedule, in
consultation with their records manager, because not every Component has a records schedule
(c) On the final day of activity for the account, PA and social media managers will
post a final message, and provide the password and login information to the designated point of
contact for use by the next official.
(d) If the new official indicates he or she does not want to use the official
institutional account before the account holder’s final day of service, the account should be
closed, and the associated records managed in accordance with the proper records schedule.
Within 30 business days after the departure of the official associated with the official
individual account, all content posted to the account during the departing official’s tenure must
be managed and preserved in accordance with the proper records schedule. On the final day of
activity for the account, the account will issue its final content and the account will be closed.
b. PA offices may use third-party social media management platforms or services to manage
official social media accounts. OSD and DoD Component PA offices must follow acquisition
processes and procedures to obtain authorization for software or services. PA offices may need
to coordinate with relevant Component offices, including their Chief Information Officer, for
additional instructions, guidance, and policy to access third-party or commercial off-the-shelf
services to access PAI.
c. PA offices with authorization and authority to use third-party social media management
platforms must maintain records management procedures in accordance with Paragraph 7.1.
d. PA offices will coordinate with their local records manager for specific guidance and
recommendations to capture and schedule records through third-party content scheduling
platforms, if the platform or service has the capability or function to capture social media
records. PA offices default to capturing and scheduling records directly from the social media
platform if the content scheduling platform is inadequate or incapable of providing content,
context, and structure along with associated metadata for records management.
(1) Responding to cyber-vandalism events involving official social media accounts is the
responsibility of multiple officials including, but not limited to, PA officials, social media
account manager(s), legal advisors, and information technology security personnel. These key
personnel form the response team that must establish incident response procedures, consistent
with DoDIs 8500.01 and 8170.01. The response team must exercise and rehearse various
scenarios to quickly assess, recover, and respond to an incident. The response team manages the
process to ensure all elements of the incident are reported and addressed. The response team will
determine when the incident is closed.
(2) The response team should conduct an incident after-action report and assessment to
review, update, or draft procedural tasks, regulations, or policy.
b. Fake or Imposter Social Media Accounts of DoD Employees and Service Members.
Users, malign actors, and adversaries on social media platforms may attempt to impersonate
DoD employees and Service members to disrupt online activity, distract audiences from official
accounts, discredit DoD information, or manipulate audiences through disinformation
campaigns. PA offices managing an EOP must address fake or imposter accounts.
(a) PA chiefs and social media managers must report fake or imposter accounts
through the social media platform’s reporting system. Social media platforms and applications
establish the information requirements to report such accounts. PA offices must establish local
procedures to identify, review, and report fake or imposter accounts. PA and social media
managers must notify operations security officials of fake or imposter accounts, as well as cyber
operations, counterintelligence elements, and Military Department Counterintelligence
Organization in accordance with DoDD 5240.06
(b) PA chiefs and social media managers must record the reporting of fake or
imposter accounts.
(c) PA chiefs or social media managers may need to provide additional information
as evidence that the identified account is fake or impersonating a DoD official.
Indications or common identifiers associated with imposter accounts include, but are not
limited to the following:
(b) The account has very few photos that were recently uploaded and reflect the same
date range.
(d) The account sends friend requests to individual users on the platform.
a. In accordance with DoDI 8170.01, OSD and DoD Components may establish hyperlinks
only to information or services related to the performance of the DoD Component’s function or
mission and the purpose of the electronic messaging service. Any links from an official social
media account must comply with DoDI 8170.01, section 3.20.
c. OSD and DoD Component EOPs may link and share content found on DoD-registered,
public-facing websites, and social media platforms without formal coordination.
a. EOPs registered with DoD do not need to display a “verified” status with the social media
platform to be recognized by DoD as an official account. While PA chiefs and social media
managers should attempt to have an EOP recognized as a verified account by the social media
platform for all account types, they are not required to do so. All registered EOPs in the DoD
registry or the U.S. Digital Registry are official accounts, in accordance with Paragraph 4.1.b.
b. A “verified” personal account on a social media platform does not constitute an official
DoD account. Personal accounts that are “verified” as a government account by a social media
platform may be misconstrued as an official DoD account.
(1) DoD personnel must ensure that all personal social media accounts are clearly
identifiable as personal accounts. DoD personnel must ensure that their personal social media
accounts avoid use of DoD titles, insignia, uniforms, or symbols in a way that could imply DoD
sanction or endorsement of the content. DoD personnel should use personal, non-official contact
information, such as personal telephone numbers or postal and e-mail addresses, to establish
personal, nonofficial accounts.
(2) Where confusion or doubt is likely to arise regarding the personal nature of social
media activities, personnel are encouraged to include a disclaimer clarifying that their social
media communications reflect only their personal views and do not necessarily represent the
views of their agency or the United States. (See sample disclaimer Figure 2.) The use of a
disclaimer does not otherwise allow DoD personnel to accept compensation that is prohibited by
this instruction or other applicable regulations.
The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily
represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any
commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or
services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the
linked websites, or the information, products or services therein.
(3) DoD personnel are not prohibited from using personal social media accounts to
forward, like, or link to official information, provided it is done in a manner that does not express
or imply DoD sanction or endorsement of any personal content.
DoD personnel are prohibited from disclosing non-public information to further their private
interests or the private interests of others. Additionally, DoD personnel must adhere to
operations security and unit-level directives, including while in forward-operating environments.
Release of unauthorized content through any means, including social media, may unnecessarily
hazard individuals, units, and the mission.
(1) Personal accounts may not be used to conduct official DoD communications, in
accordance with Paragraph 3.26.a of DoDI 8170.01 and Section 2911 of Title 44, U.S.C.
(2) A personal social media account must not be an avenue for friends, followers, or
private contacts to gain access to DoD programs or seek action from DoD officials in a manner
not available to the general public.
d. Do Not Accept Compensation for any Activity Relating to One’s Status as a DoD
Civilian Employee or Military Service Member.
DoD personnel are prohibited from using their official position or public office for personal
financial gain, for the endorsement of any product, service, or enterprise, or for the private gain
of friends, relatives, or persons with whom the employee is affiliated in a nongovernmental
capacity. (Section 2635.702 of Title 5, CFR). DoD personnel are also prohibited from using
government resources for non-official, personal activities.
The use of one’s official position or public office includes the use of any reference to
one’s status, name, image, or likeness as a DoD civilian employee or Service member. This
includes the use of official titles, photographs that display a connection to one’s status as a DoD
civilian employee or Service member (e.g., a photograph while in uniform or while wearing an
identifying device such as a lanyard or lapel pin); and the personal use of DoD protected symbols
or other imagery.
(2) Endorsement.
DoD personnel are prohibited from using their official positon to either affirmatively
endorse a non-federal entity, product, service, or enterprise, or by taking action that implies DoD
endorsement through the unauthorized use of one’s official position or public office.
Private gain includes the receipt of compensation from a third party, to include revenue
from advertising, sponsorships or sponsorship agreements, affiliate marketing agreements, or
promotion of commercial ventures on personal social media accounts. This does not preclude
DoD personnel from engaging in compensated outside employment when permitted by
applicable ethics and other regulations.
GLOSSARY
G.1. ACRONYMS.
ACRONYM MEANING
PA public affairs
PAI publicly available information
G.2. DEFINITIONS.
Unless otherwise noted, these terms and their definitions are for the purpose of this issuance.
TERM DEFINITION
DoD personnel DoD civilian employees and military service members. For
purposes of this issuance, “DoD personnel” does not include
employees of DoD contractors.
GLOSSARY 26
DoDI 5400.17, August 12, 2022
Change 1, January 24, 2023
TERM DEFINITION
social media cyber- An intrusion of social media accounts when an outside party takes
vandalism control of an agency communication channel, establishes an
impostor DoD social media account, or impersonates a DoD
official using a social media account in an attempt to mislead the
public or threaten the agency or the individual account.
third-party social media Free or paid social media management tools that can schedule
management platforms content and generate social media reports to improve audience
engagement and manage social media platform capabilities.
verified account A moniker or symbol which notifies users on the social media
platform that the account of public interest is authentic and helps
reassure users to trust the information on the account.
GLOSSARY 27
DoDI 5400.17, August 12, 2022
Change 1, January 24, 2023
REFERENCES
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 5, Section 2635
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, Part 1226
DoD 5500.07-R, “Joint Ethics Regulation (JER),” August 30 1993, as amended
DoD Directive 3115.18, “DoD Access to and Use of Publicly Available Information (PAI),”
June 11, 2019, as amended
DoD Directive 5122.05, “Assistant to The Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs (ATSD(PA)),”
August 7, 2017
DoD Directive 5240.02, “Counterintelligence (CI),” March 17, 2015, as amended
DoD Directive 5240.06, “Counterintelligence Awareness and Reporting (CIAR),” May 17, 2011,
as amended
DoD Directive 5535.09, “DoD Branding and Trademark Licensing Program,”
December 19, 2007
DoD Instruction 1020.03, “Harassment Prevention and Response in the Armed Forces,”
February 8, 2018, as amended
DoD Instruction 1020.04, “Harassment Prevention and Responses for DoD Civilian Employees,”
June 30, 2020
DoD Instruction 1304.35, “Military Marketing,” November 1, 2017, as amended
DoD Instruction 1325.06, “Handling Protest, Extremist, and Criminal Gang Activities Among
Members of the Armed Forces,” November 27, 2009, as amended
DoD Instruction 5015.02, “DoD Records Management Program,” February 24, 2015, as
amended
DoD Instruction 5230.09, “Clearance of DoD Information for Public Release,” January 25, 2019,
as amended
DoD Instruction 5230.29, “Security and Policy Review of DoD Information for Public Release,”
August 13, 2014, as amended
DoD Instruction 5400.11, “DoD Privacy and Civil Liberties Programs,” January 29, 2019, as
amended
DoD Instruction 5400.13, “Public Affairs (PA) Operations,” October 15, 2008
DoD Instruction 8170.01, “Online Information Management and Electronic Messaging,”
January 2, 2019, as amended
DoD Instruction 8500.01, “Cybersecurity,” March 14, 2014, as amended
Office of Government Ethics’ (OGE) Legal Advisory, LA-14-08, “Reference to Official Title
and Position by Employees Affiliated with Outside Organizations in Their Personal
Capacity,” November 19, 2014
Office of Government Ethics’ (OGE) Legal Advisory, LA-15-03, “The Standards of Conduct as
Applied to Personal Social Media Use,” April 9, 2015
Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-03-22, “OMB Guidance for Implementing
the Privacy Provisions of the E-Government Act of 2002,” September 26, 2003
United States Code, Title 5
United States Code, Title 15
United States Code, Title 44
REFERENCES 28