For Official Use Only
Social Media Procedure
Contents
Social Media Procedure .................................................................................................... 1
Context ........................................................................................................................................... 2
Determining Whether or How the Policy Applies ...........................
Error! Bookmark not defined. Responsibilities for Staff ................................................................................................................. 2
Risks in using online social media and networking sites ................................................................ 3
Inappropriate or unacceptable use of social media ....................................................................... 3
Privacy Considerations ................................................................................................................... 4
Version Control ........................................................................................... ..................... 4
under FOI
Released
Policy and Procedure – Social Media
Australian Crime Commission
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Context
1.
This procedural document is to be followed in accordance with the ACC Social Media Policy.
2.
All members of the staff of the ACC1 are directed to and
must comply with the ‘must’ or ‘must
not’ controls as well as any legislative controls outlined within this Policy. Failure to do so may
result in Code of Conduct action and any breach of the obligation on members of staff under
section 51 of the
Australian Crime Commission Act 2002 (the ACC’s secrecy provision), may
result in criminal prosecution. Unauthorised disclosure of information may be punishable by 2
years imprisonment and/or fine not exceeding 120 penalty units.
3.
Should definitions be required they are contained within the Policy.
Determining When or How the Policy Applies
4.
This policy and procedure addresses any
personal use of social media. Online social media can
take many forms, including (but not limited to) social networking servic s, ch t rooms, weblogs,
social blogs, wikis, podcasts, internet forums, dating sites, etc. It can be any site that allows
users to post dialogue, pictures and/or video, and includes technolog es such as picture-sharing,
email, instant messaging; and websites such as YouTube.
5.
This policy and procedure does not apply to business use of social media.
Responsibilities for Staff
under FOI
6.
When using online social media and/or social networking services in a private capacity, staff
should not identify themselves as an ACC staff member. SES staff, and executive level staff
with written SES approval, may identify themselves as an ACC staff member on professional
networking sites such as LinkedIn only after proactively considering the risks identified in this
policy and procedure. When using online social media and/or social networking services in a
private capacity staff
must not identify, or enable someone to reasonably identify, another
ACC staff member. Released
7.
Staff
must not make any comments or postings concerning ACC business. When considering
whether to make comment in an unofficial capacity, staff should also reflect on the following
questions:
Could the comments reasonably be expected to cause the ACC’s clients and other
stakeholders, including members of parliament – whether members of the
Government, the Opposition, independents, or other parties – to lose confidence in
the staff members ability to work in an impartial and professional manner?
1 Al members of the staff of the ACC as defined in the ACC Act and may be referred to herein as
staff.
Policy and Procedure – Social Media
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Would comment of this kind, without proper justification, be likely to lower or
undermine the reputation of the ACC or of the APS as a whole?
Are these comments in line with how the community in general expects the public
service to operate and behave?
Are these comments lawful? For example, do they comply with anti-discrimination
legislation and laws relating to defamation?
8.
When posting in a private capacity, do not make any comment or posting which may be
interpreted as representing the views of the ACC or contain any material that may potentially
bring the ACC or the APS in general into disrepute.
9.
Even in a private capacity, inappropriate public comment by staff may result in sanctions as a
result of a breach of the APS Code of Conduct.
Risks in Using Online Social Media and Networking Sites
10. There are risks associated with participating in online social media and networking sites online.
The speed and reach of online communication means that it can never be certain where the
comment might end up or who might read it. Material posted online effectively lasts forever. It
may be replicated endlessly, and may be sent to recipients who were never expected to see
the post or may view it out of context.
11. Any information relating to employment that is posted online (including naming a staff
member or describing a professional role or responsibility) is able to be located quickly and
easily by a search engine. Posting career information online can inadvertently disclose
under FOI
corporate information and poses a potential security risk.
12. Corruption of public officials can provide benefits for organised crime groups and public sector
officials may be targeted for this reason. Information posted on social media sites may be used
by criminals to gather information on staff and their family, friends and associates in an
attempt to identify those who may be susceptible to corruption and groomed for this purpose.
Data mining (using data to p edict trends or behaviour patterns) is also used by cyber thieves
to obtain information for criminal purposes.
13. Staff
must comply with this policy and procedures even when they are posting material
anonymously, or using an alias or pseudonym. Even if you do not identify online as an ACC
Released
employee you could still be recognised as such.
14. Remember that inappropriate use of social media sites can compromise you, your family,
friends and colleagues as well as jeopardise your career.
Inappropriate or Unacceptable Use of Social Media
15. The following (non-exhaustive) list provides some examples of social media use that is
considered inappropriate or unacceptable:
a. unauthorised discussion or disclosure of any agency-related information (e.g. ACC
projects, policy development, corporate information and day-to-day work). This
Policy and Procedure – Social Media
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could be considered misuse of official information and may result in criminal
proceedings as well as action under the APS Code of Conduct;
b. unauthorised discussion of any operational or legal matters in which the ACC is
materially involved (e.g. joint operations or matters before the courts);
c. unauthorised comment or information dealing with the infrastructure, hardware,
software, security etc. of ACC IT systems;
d. making personal comments or expressing opinions that could be misconstrued as
official comments (e.g. expressing opinion on proposed or current policy both as it
relates to the ACC and the government of the day);
e. personal attacks on ACC staff, clients or individuals from other APS agencies. This
includes belittling or making fun of a colleague or client, or engaging in any type of
behaviour that could be considered bullying or harassment either directly or
indirectly;
f. posting unauthorised photos or video-clips of ACC activities. This includes
identifying current work locations;
g. posting any material subject to copyright (e.g. logos, crests, insignia, etc.) without
express permission;
h. posting of any ACC email address, telephone number or other contact details.
Privacy Considerations
16. There are privacy risks associated with using online social media and/or social networking
under FOI
services. Such sites have varying levels of security and all are vulnerable to security breaches.
Before posting personal information, remember that giving out information about yourself
online makes it easier for people who a e online, and do not know you personally, to find you
offline. Think carefully about who you want knowing information such as where you live, your
date of birth, your phone number where you work, what type of work you do and what
interests you have.
Version Control Released
Implementation
Version
Business Owner
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Revision Number
Date
June 2015
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Revision 7
July 2015
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Revision 8
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Revision Number
Policy and Procedure – Social Media
Australian Crime Commission
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