Chapter 3. What "Official Use" Means
When you join Facebook, Twitter and other social sites, you do so with different responsibilities. When representing the agency, you're speaking in an "official" voice and have been authorized to speak for the agency. If you have your own Facebook and Twitter sites, you're speaking in a "personal" voice" with your own views and opinions.
The difference between official use and personal use of social media is this:
Personal use: You can do anything that's not illegal.
Official Use: You can do what you're authorized to do.
Federal employees are subject to restrictions of the Hatch Act, which governs political activity. For more information on the Hatch Act, see the video The Dos and Don'ts for Feds on Social Media.
Check with the Office of Special Counsel if you have questions.
Chapter 4. Considerations When Choosing a Social Media Product > >
