Russian Soldiers 'Banned From Taking Selfies'

Snap happy Russian soldiers could be in trouble next time they stop to take a selfie.

A new draft law from Russia’s Military Defence wants to ban military personnel from posting on social media over fears it could compromise their location.

The proposal published last week says that photographs, videos and other media can compromise the military and their operations.

It forbids contract soldiers from posting online and inadvertently giving away useful information.

Geo-tagging and geolocation data, a basic function in most social networks, allows just about anyone to pinpoint your location, within a few meters. 

It’s not just advanced technology that is causing concern, there’s also the issue of the ability to completely erase content online, as well as simply recognising the surroundings.

Previously this data has been used by journalists tracking Russian troop movements.

BBC Ukraine reporter Myroslava Petsa was able to recognise Russian soldiers transporting rockets to Eastern Ukraine from a post.

Others have harnessed specific social media activity in their investigative work.

Vice News reporter Simon Ostrovsky claimed to have confirmed the presence of Russian troops in the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, areas where Russia had denied that they were supporting pro-Russian fighters.

Though the new ban is focused on contract soldiers, officials from Russia's security service, the FSB are reported to be forbidden from posting personal information or pictures online too. 

The selfie ban is expected to be imposed from January 2018.