GSA’s new Pinterest account illustrates how quickly and easily agencies can begin sharing images on mobile devices and desktops. Image courtesy of GSA.
The federal government can now share tens of thousands of public-use photos via Pinterest, the third most popular social media platform in the U.S. That’s because the company recently adopted Fed-friendly Terms of Service.
With more than 100 million visits each month to the free tool, the benefit to citizens and agencies alike may be worth pinning to anyone’s board.
According to Pinterest’s website, the social network lets you share and browse image streams called “pinboards.” But what exactly does that mean for federal agencies?
It means, for example, that the more than 48,000 public-use images that agencies store on Flickr can now be placed in the hands of citizens (literally, since Pinterest is mobile as well as desktop accessible). Pinboards can educate and inform people about government programs and point them to additional information.
It also means that agencies have another unique method to engage directly with citizens; receive ideas; and open the door to collaboration with a more diverse audience.
So what do “fed-friendly Terms of Service” (ToS) mean to those that want to use social media and why are they needed?
Often, standard ToS or a Terms of Use for free social media apps are incompatible with federal regulations, laws and practice. Agency lawyers must collaborate with vendors to modify or remove problematic clauses so federal employees can use the tools. For example, recently the Department of Justice released an Opinion on one of the offensive terms typically found in standard TOS, namely the Indemnification clause.
With Pinterest’s adoption of fed-friendly terms, however, now agencies can engage even more with citizens anytime, anywhere and on any device — and agencies look forward to hearing from you what you’d like to share with them.
If your agency is using Pinterest tell us about your experience with it or some of the other 61 social media apps agencies use. We’re hosting a New Media Talk on Pinterest in February, but in the meantime let us know how you’re using the tool, what the benefits are, and what lessons you’ve learned along the way.
3 comments
Kaunda says:
February 6, 2013 at 11:20 pm (UTC -5 )
Pinterest can especially used by the tourism department to showcase a countries places of interest to the nation and potential tourism.
The other great thing about pinterest is the old adage that pictures tell a story of a thousand words. so inforgraphics always solicitate great engagement with consumers in this case the citizenry of the country
Nicole says:
January 18, 2013 at 4:23 pm (UTC -5 )
Was there discussion about adoption for State governments?
sua may tinh says:
January 18, 2013 at 7:04 am (UTC -5 )
The takeaway for any organization is how you will use the concept of image and video curators and creators, along with what you know about who they are, to nurture a connection to your cause, organization, and conversation online.