On Thursday, July 22, 2010, the Information Policy, Census and National Archive Subcommittee [U.S. House of Representatives] will hold a hearing entitled, "Government 2.0, Part I: Federal Agency Use of Web 2.0 Technologies." The hearing will review federal agency use, under the Federal Records Act, of Web 2.0 technologies that promote transparency, collaboration and participation, and examine the records management implication of those technologies.
We are unable (at this time) to access an audio or video of the hearing.
However, the prepared testimony of each panelist is available online. All files are in pdf.
1. The Honorable David S. Ferriero
Archivist of the United States
United States National Archives and Records Administration
The ongoing, collaborative, and interactive nature of Web 2.0 platforms require agencies to determine if these factors impact previous records management determinations. For instance, agencies should consider if the interactive nature of content creation (i.e. comments left on an agency blog) need to be documented as part of the record. Agencies may also need to determine if the frequent update of the content requires additional strategies to capture the records. These determinations will impact how agencies properly manage and schedule the records of their Web 2.0 interactions. Some collaborative communications are likely to be assessed as temporary or even permanent records requiring long term management and preservation within an agency’s electronic record keeping system.
To assist Federal agencies, NARA will promulgate new policies on this subject in the form of a new Bulletin. The Bulletin on Web 2.0 and Social Media Platforms will provide additional guidance and information to agencies about these platforms and how agency use of them may impact records management procedures. In addition, we are also conducting a study of Federal agencies that are actively using Web 2.0 technologies in their agency mission related activities. The object of this study is to gather information on how Federal agencies are using Web 2.0 in order to gain a greater understanding of what records are being created and their potential value, both to agencies and NARA. Both the bulletin and the study will be completed and made available by the end of FY2010.
Dr. David McClure
Associate Administrator
Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies
United States General Services Administration
Mr. Gregory C. Wilshusen
Director, Information Security Issues
United States General Accountability Office
Mr. Wilshhusen submitted a fact-filled statement titled, "Challenges In Federal
Agencies' Use of Web 2.0 Technologies." It includes a useful table titled, "Current and Potential Uses of Web 2.0 in the Federal Government (page 4)." The report also has material about, "establishing mechanisms for preserving Web 2.0 information as records (page 9) (14 pages; PDF).
In conclusion, Web. 2.0 techniques offer government agencies powerful and valuable tools. They should be used carefully, however, without unduly favoring a particular provider and there must be explicit warnings when a consumer leaves an official government site. Most importantly, however, Congress must enact meaningful privacy legislation to safeguard consumers as they use these online services that have become known as Web 2.0.
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