NASCIO Reviews Gaps, Risk in State Social Media Brief

LEXINGTON, Ky., Wednesday, June 5 – the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) today released an issue brief focusing on state use of social media, specifically on state social media participation policies (“SMPP’s”). NASCIO’s Legal Advisory Working Group took a look at 31 SMPPs, which focus specifically on guidance/policy given to state employees regarding their participation in social media.

States have come a long way in the past few years, with the majority implementing social media policies or working towards one. However, some of the gaps found have the potential to open up states to some severe heartburn: including employee discontent, management concerns, public perception and liability.

Doug Robinson, executive director of NASCIO, stated, “80 percent of CIOs rate the future value of social media as high or essential and the majority believes that social media are working to promote innovative state services. It is our goal that the issue brief, and the sample documents included, serves as a tool for CIOs to be able to continue to take the necessary steps to protect their state’s use of social media.”

The issue brief also addresses the inclusion of clauses on confidentiality, ethical conduct, security and privacy, and transparency in SMPP’s. For more information and to view the issue brief, please visit www.nascio.org/publications/.