One of the biggest technology trends of 2011 is the near unfathomable pervasiveness of social media. No longer are sites like Facebook (News - Alert) and Twitter only relegated to broadcasting insignificant rants or updates on celebrity shoe shopping.
In the last year, social networks have become integral tools for organizing protests, inspiring support for political change and staying connected during the aftermath of tragedies.
The intelligence community has picked up on this trend and is now using social media as one of its many tools to gather information.
NATO spokesman and Wing Commander Mike Bracken acknowledged late last week that the organization monitors sites like Twitter to try and drum up intelligence in areas like Libya where ground troops cannot venture.
“We'll get information from open source on the internet, we'll get Twitter, you name any source of media and our fusion centre will deliver all of that into useable intelligence,” Bracken said during a June 10th briefing.
A NATO source told The Telegraph that Libyan rebels have been providing “valuable updates” on information that would be pertinent to allied forces.
“Twitter is a tool in the box, among others,” said the source, adding that all information that is acquired through the micro-blogging site is scrutinized and verified before being used.
“We don't see something on Twitter and go and drop bombs,” he told the paper. “We never act on a single source. It's more complex.”
The Globe and Mail reported earlier this week that a Twitter account with alleged ties to the British military is reportedly taking submissions from users about the location of Libyan troops.
Social networking sites were also vital tools in organizing protests in Egypt and shining an international spotlight on the injustices of the Mubarak administration. A Facebook campaign organized by Google (News 
- Alert) marketing executive Wael Ghonim was largely credited with inspiring Egyptians to revolt against the Mubarak regime.
Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2011, taking place Sept. 13-15, 2011, in Austin, Texas. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.
Beecher Tuttle is a TMCnet contributor. He has extensive experience writing and editing for print publications and online news websites. He has specialized in a variety of industries, including health care technology, politics and education. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.
Edited by Jennifer Russell
