Posting to Social Networking Sites

For purposes of this section,

"Agency" or "the agency" means the Department of Information Services (DIS).

The "agency's purpose" means the purpose, powers, duties and intent of the Department as established in RCW 43.105.

"DIS Web site," and "DIS Web pages" shall have the same meaning as in DIS policy 6.2.3

"Social Networking Site" means a web site or service based on an architecture of participation where users can contribute website content. Examples include but are not limited to: youtube.com, flickr.com, myspace.com. Except as compelled by circumstance, Social Networking Sites are external sites as described in DIS policy 6.2.

The Communications Director may authorize posting of information or prepared materials such as video files or streams to a social networking site by agency employees on behalf of the agency. The Communications Director may also delegate the posting decision to one or more agency employees.

Agency employees may not edit or remove content from social networking sites based on views expressed therein.

Where the agency posts information to a DIS web page, the page must conform to ISB and DIS requirements. Where the agency posts information to a site or service offered or controlled by a third party the employee posting the information and the employee authorizing the post should to the extent possible include or make reference to the privacy policies or privacy notice applicable to the site or service.

Before information or material is posted to a private social networking site or service the Communications Director or delegate will conduct an initial evaluation of the likelihood that a proposed private social networking site will post political materials.

1. In the case of non-political organizations or sites that do not have a history of political advocacy, the officer shall initially verify the content and then establish a reporting mechanism that will encourage users of the agency's web page(s) to notify the agency if political materials are being posted or linked there.
2. In the case of organization or sites known to support or oppose candidates for public office, or to advocate for or against ballot initiatives or referendums the Communications Director or delegate shall only establish links to or from DIS websites if there is no political advocacy on the web page so linked or if the agency holds a written agreement that the organization or site will not place political advocacy on the linked web page without notifying the agency.

The Communications Director will conduct a periodic review of any social networking sites to which the agency posts information. The Office of Legal Services will assist as needed. The review will consider whether posting is likely to:

1. Support the state's standards of ethics in government,
2. Protect the intellectual property rights of creators of content, and
3. Protect the personality rights of any person appearing in material posted by the agency.

Where the agency posts material on behalf of other entities, the agency should:

1. Obtain copyright releases for all such material from the creators or indemnification from the entity for which the material is to be posted,
2. Obtain personality right releases for each image of a person who may have a potential claim to such a right or indemnification from the entity for which the material is to be posted.

Before placing the logo or trademark of a private social networking site on an agency web site the Communications Director or delegate should ensure that the use of the logo or trademarks in question is consistent with the agency's purpose.

• DIS Policy 6.2.3, Linking Policy for DIS Websites