does the military read troops private emails?

Question

Just wondering if the emails exchanged between civilians and troops are screened for security reasons? If so must they inform the parties involved?

Answer 1

Every time someone logs into a DOD computer, there is a screen which informs the user that all activity on that computer is subject to monitoring. Believe me, I read this message a dozen times a day. You have to click okay before you can even log into Windows with your username and password. The same is true for the computers used on Army posts and Air Force bases in the US.

But do you really think there is a team reading the millions of e'mails being sent through these computers? That would be a sweet contract, to sit there and read through other people's e'mail all day long.

Answer 2

Technically there is no such thing as a private email sent via a government mail server. That being said, emails of general nature are not generally read. HOWEVER, if probable cause to suspect abuse is going on, there are ways to search the person's inbox AND the person is warned every time they log on that their activities on their computer system CAN be monitored.

Edit: I see a lot of posts hinting that the military gives up the right to privacy when we join. That isn't true. The same thing goes for the civilian world: when you send emails over any corporation or government server, the information you input is company bandwidth and therefore property of that company.

Answer 3

All communications transferred in/out/between govt establishments will be open to some sort of interdiction. If your writing say, a soldier in Iraq and worried about them reading your emails, they pick a random selection to view.

DoD (department of defense) computer programs scan emails for sensitive information like locations, or questions asked about weapons etc etc.

If your are corresponding with a Govt facility such as the Pentagon, White House, CIA, FBI etc etc...they are more scrutinized.

For the most part few human eyes are on the emails to the troops, its mostly done autonomously.

Answer 4

yes, randomly or even in case of suspicion of violation of OPSEC and PERSEC. In fact,that happened on the last ship my spouse was on.. a SM and his wife contiually violated OPSEC and as a result the entire system was shut down for a few weeks, he lost ALL communication privileges: he couldn't email, write or phone at all, and his spouse had every.single.thing. she wrote screened by a third party before it went to her spouse.

and no, they do not have to inform the participants, especially when doing random checks.

so be VERY careful about what you write and how you write it..because those dirty stories? could end up circulating the entire ship, which leads to some embarrassment at the pier. happened to someone I knew... she had quite the rep.

Answer 5

Any activity on a DOD computer or DOD site, such as AKO can be screened at anytime without warning. Soldiers give up such rights to privacy when they sign their contract. Any civilian gives up that right when they exchange emails with a member of the military.

Answer 6

They use a third party generally more on the mail troops are sending to make sure they are not info that could be harmful if the enemy reads it.

Answer 7

Only some they are. Just only the first 1,000 e-mails that get sent a day. I would know I am in the army and we have to be safe. They dont inform any parties involved.

Answer 8

Yes, my e-mails to and from the Sub are read at times. At other times ALL incoming and outgoing are read, for OPSEC (Operations Security). If a violation is found, their e-mail privilege is revoked. That is if we can even do e-mail at all!

Answer 9

Anyone can read e-mails, if they have the want too. The military can read mail, so I would think they can read e-mails. No they do not have to inform you of reading any mail, it is under the security and secrecy acts.

Answer 10

yes, they sometimes even use a third party army, who may be better set up to do it at the time