GSA signs agreements with Web 2.0 providers
Several terms of service agreements reached with new media providers clear the way for federal agencies to use the social networking services.
The General Services Administration has negotiated terms of service agreements with Web 2.0 providers MySpace, Blist, Slideshare and AddThis allowing federal agencies to use the services, GSA officials have said. Agencies that want the services can sign onto the agreement, which is effective now.
MySpace is a social portal for connecting people and content. Blist
provides a service for publishing data on the Internet. Slideshare is a
site for sharing PowerPoint, Word and PDF documents. AddThis is a
bookmarking and sharing platform.
During last 10 months, a coalition of agencies led by GSA has been negotiating agreements with new media providers, and other federal agencies can choose to sign the same agreements, GSA officials said April 28. The agreements resolve legal concerns and conditions that pose problems for federal agencies, such as liability, endorsements, advertising, freedom of information and governing law, they said.
GSA already signed agreements with Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, Vimeo, and blip.tv and is in discussions with many other providers that offer free new media services.
NEXT STORY: DISA seeks input on the GIG's architecture