Notes from GAO – Challenges in Federal Use of Web 2.0 Technologies

Short, easy report – it’s testimony, not a full report

-have another ongoing review that is broader

Requested by Chaiman Clay, House Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives

Objectives
-Identify current uses of web 2.0 technologies

-Identify key challenges associated with use

-July 22, 2010

Endorsed by Obama

22/23 of 24 major agencies have a presence….NRC didn’t

Web 2.0 tech used:

-blogs

-social networking sites

-Videos
-Wikis

-Podcasting

Privacy and Security Challenges
-Determining how Privacy Act applies
-Ensuring agencies limit collection and use of personal information
-Extending privacy protections to collection and use of personal information by third parties

-Safeguarding personal information
-Training personnel on proper use of social networking tools

Records Management and FOIA Challenges
-Determining requirements for prserving Web 2.0 information as federal records
-Establishing mechanisms for preserving Web 2.0 information as records
-Ensuring proper adherence to FOIA

Federal Agencies Have Acted to Address Web 2.0 Issues

-NARA issued guidance, plans additional guidance

-GSA negotiated terms of service agreements

-OMB issued Web 2.0 related guidance
-Applicability of Paperwork Reduction Act
-Privacy policies

?s on the Hill
-Records management is big question/issue

-Lots of interest on how can use technology but with eyes wide open

NARA
-Found that most of social media channels are duplicates of what already exist elsewhere…so not needed to duplicate