Twitter Can Get You Killed

Note to self: Don't tweet location when visiting Iraq.

Rep. Pete Hoekstra, a congressman who is known as a leader in using social networking to keep his constituents informed, may have gone a little too far in a recent trip to Iraq and Afghanistan. He is now being criticized for tweeting his location in near real time.

The incident has prompted the Pentagon to review its policy, which regards such information as sensitive.

"Just landed in Baghdad," the congressman declared on Feb. 5 at 9:41 p.m.

By 11:56 p.m., the public was given this more precise update: "Moved into green zone by helicopter, Iraqi flag now over palace. Headed to new U.S. embassy. Appears calmer, less chaotic than previous here."

Thank goodness the warlords weren't on Twitter at the time.

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• Congressman Pete Hoekstra Twitters secret Iraq trip (nickburcher.com)
• Did Hoekstra Tweet Classified Info? (alan.com)

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