CHINFO FORM 5720.44 (AUP) PAGE 1

U.S. NAVY ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO DON OFFICIAL SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCES

1. Administrators. Commands and activities shall designate administrators for official social media properties in 

writing. The administrator is responsible for ensuring all posts and content comply with DOD, DON, and 

command policy. Commands permitting postings by others (i.e. takeovers) on their platforms must ensure those 

designated to do so are media trained and understand what is acceptable and not acceptable. 

2. Local Procedures. Commands and activities must develop written local procedures to ensure the approval 

and release of all information posted on official social media platforms is in alignment with U.S. Navy guidance. 

SECNAVINST 5720.44C U.S. Navy Public Affairs Regulations (https://dvidshub.net/r/3c4ayp) 

3. Security. Commands will actively monitor and evaluate official use of social media platforms for compliance 

with security requirements and for fraudulent or unacceptable use. Misuse of Navy brands or properties by 

imposters should be reported through the chain of command and/or to the Navy Office of Information (CHINFO)

who can provide assistance and guidance as needed. Passwords to official pages as well as admin accounts 

supporting those pages must be changed at least quarterly and adhere to NMCI/DISA security protocols for 

strong passwords including upper, lowercase, numeric and special characters. 

4. Primary Web Presence. A command or activity social media presence, including those on blog platforms, may 

not serve as a command’s primary web presence, and must link to the command’s official website. 

5. Prohibited Content. Commands and activities shall not publish and shall prohibit content listed in the PA Regs 

CHAPTER 7 – PUBLIC COMMUNICATION ON THE INTERNET, Section 0702 REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE ONLY TO 

DON WEBSITES, as well as: 

a. Personal attacks, vulgar, hateful, violent, or racist language, slurs, stereotyping, hate speech, and other 

forms of discrimination based on any race, color, religion, national origin, disability, or sexual 

orientation. 

b. Information that may elicit threats to the security of Navy and Marine Corps operations or assets, or to 

the safety of DON personnel and their families. 

6. Correcting the Record. When engaging in the comments section on an official social media presence with 

those who have posted inaccurate or misleading information, remember to be respectful, clear, and concise 

providing factual, relevant information. Corrections to original posts on Navy platforms must acknowledge the 

issue (typo etc.) and be followed with a corrected post. 

7. Personal Posts to Blogs and Social Media Sites. Individual members of the DON are authorized to participate 

in or operate blogs or other social networking services. The DON recognizes the value of these communication 

channels in posting current information and supporting the morale of personnel, their families, and friends. As 

long as personnel adhere to operational security requirements regarding the public release of information, the 

DON encourages the use of blogs and social networking services. Furthermore, SECNAVINST 5720.44C CH-2 10 

APR 2019 (Page 7-19) recognizes this free flow of information contributes to legitimate transparency of the DON 

to the American public. HOWEVER, any individual member of the DON who is identified as such, both directly or 

indirectly, on a blog or other social media service, may be perceived to represent the DON and must act 

accordingly. In addition to the types of information outlined in Chapter 7 of the PA Regs, the following 

information must not be displayed on personal pages operated by individual members: 

a. Any image, still or motion, of any military operation or activity (unless that image has been cleared for 

public release by the proper authority) if there is a potential for a security or privacy violation. 

b. Language that may tend to diminish the confidence in or respect for his or her superior(s), per the 

Uniform Code of Military Justice.

The below current Acceptable Use Policy Acknowledgment is required to be signed by the lead admin for the 

command and acknowledges responsibility for themselves and all other admins to adhere to the terms 

herein. This form is to be retained on file for as long as the signer remains in the lead admin position.
CHINFO FORM 5720.44 (AUP) PAGE 2

ADMINISTRATOR’S NAME COMMAND NAME

PLATFORM NAME(S)

U.S. NAVY ACCEPTABLE USE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM

I, _________________________, will use _________________________ official social media sites 

_____________________________________________ only as authorized by 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 business except as authorized in accordance with DODI 

8170.01. When engaging on official platforms I will not engage in arguments with end-users. I will provide 

correct, factual information to correct the record or in response to query. I will post content that highlights the 

Navy in a positive light and/or addresses issues in alignment with the associated PA posture for a given topic. 

I agree that I may establish and use personal accounts only within a personal capacity. Personal accounts must 

have no connection to official agency sites and must not appear to be, or represent, official opinion or content 

of my organization unless otherwise approved by my leadership and/or PAO. My identity could be misused as 

the general public’s perception of official statements/views of the U.S. Navy and therefore, cannot be used to 

conduct official business or release official agency information or any other official communication related to 

the job or government activities unless otherwise approved. 

I understand that Navy policy restricts the use of government systems to access and manage personal social 

media presences during official duty hours. I acknowledge receipt, have read and understand the US Navy 

Acceptable Use Policy and Acceptable Use Checklist and agree to adhere to them. 

A signed copy of this agreement is to be maintained by the office responsible for the above social 

media sites. It will be updated as personnel changes dictate. 

ADMINISTRATOR’S NAME AND SIGNATURE DATE

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER/SUPERVISOR’s NAME AND SIGNATURE DATE