Our staff can't provide legal advice, interpret the law or conduct research. You may be able to obtain assistance from a lawyer or paralegal. In fact, when applying for a loan from an online lender, that lender often takes into account things such as the social media profile of the business before making a decision. According to Experian, yes it is. Although using social media for credit decisions on the consumer side is currently a problem, there is nothing stopping lenders from using social media for business credit considerations. (Remember, the Fair Credit Reporting Act only applies to consumers, not businesses.).
Use of social media technologies must follow the current laws and standards that govern information and information technology. Below is an explanation of the most common policies and standards that impact the use of social media.
Print out the HHS Social Media Policies Checklist to make sure you have addressed the relevant standards and policies. You can find further guidance from the HHS Office of the General Counsel and from the HHS Office of the Chief Information Officer.
Section 508 requires that all website content be accessible to people with disabilities. This applies to Web applications, Web pages and all attached files on the intranet, as well as, internet.
Departmental social media sites and content must clearly identify ownership or sponsorship through the use of Department or OPDIV branding. HHS logo policies also apply when used with third-party sites or applications.
Many new online technologies allow for the submission of user-generated content. HHS encourages this public interaction with the following caveats:
- All comments must be reviewed and cleared (moderated) before they are posted.
- Comments must not be posted if they contain:
- Blatantly partisan political views
- Explicit commercial endorsements
- Discriminatory, racist, offensive, obscene, inflammatory, unlawful or otherwise objectionable statements, language or content.
Many third-party sites and applications have specific guidelines for the use of trademarked images and logos. Consult the specific site or application you are using for more information.
HHS Websites are able to link to non-government Websites according to the HHS Linking Standard. These links, which include those to third-party websites on which HHS content is held, should include an exit disclaimer.
Consider the value in liking/ following a specific entity and what it may convey to your audience. In many cases, following an organization may convey endorsement of the entire entity, while retweeting or reposting content from another entity may only imply endorsement of the content that is being reposted. Consult your external link policy for guidance on Liking, Following, or Friending other entities and reposting their content within government accounts on third-party networks.
All content posted to third-party sites should also be verifiable through an agency’s official website. People should also be able to obtain comparable information and services through an agency’s official website or other official means. For example, members of the public should be able to learn about the agency’s activities and to communicate with the agency without having to join a third-party social media website. All third-party sites should also provide a link back to the agency’s official website. In addition, if an agency uses a third-party service to solicit feedback, the agency should provide an alternative government email address where users can also send feedback.
The rules governing the maintenance of Federal records and web records cover records associated with the utilization of social media. The maintenance of these records, in either electronic or print format, is the responsibility of the office or agency originating the content. Read the HHS Web Records Policy & Guidance to learn more about the required schedule for maintaining web records. Be sure to contact your Records Official to determine if there are additional considerations for records specific to social media. Read more from the National Archives on the Implications of Recent Web Technologies for NARA Web Guidance.
Do Business Lenders Care About Social Media Sites
- Policies and standards that apply to all HHS Web sites