Government working on rules for Web social networks

Governmentwide guidance for how agencies can more fully utilize social media applications like MySpace, Facebook and Twitter is forthcoming, President Obama's federal chief information officer said today.

Vivek Kundra, who serves as OMB's e-government and information technology administrator, told agency Web managers that the Federal CIO Council and the General Services Administration are working on the rules but did not give a time frame for release. The GSA took an initial step last month by signing agreements with four video-sharing and social networks to provide services that comply with federal terms and conditions.

Kundra said the guidance could take time to align with statutes like the Presidential Records Act and the Privacy Act, which were enacted in the 1970s, and seven-year-old Federal Information Security Management Act. In the meantime, he urged attendees to work within their agencies to adopt approved technologies.