HBC Blogging and Social Networking - Banned?

Ken Moss · 05-02-2011, 14:52

This is a new one.

An article in the LT today states that councillors are getting a new guide on data protection which apparently precludes writing about your work as a councillor on blogs and social networking sites.

Not had anything in my correspondence yet, but if my posts suddenly get a lot more fluffy then you know I've either been gagged or I need to grow a new pair.

If it's true I wonder who came up with that idea?

cashman · 05-02-2011, 14:54

yeh but if ya use the P.M. system others aint gagged.

Ken Moss · 05-02-2011, 14:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

yeh but if ya use the P.M. system others aint gagged.

Who watches the watchers?

You know what the internet is like, nothing is as private as you think.

heth · 05-02-2011, 15:00

What will you do if you are told not to talk about work on here??!!
Seems a bit silly if you ask me but then like you said we have a good idea who came up with it...............

cashman · 05-02-2011, 15:00

Oh am well aware of that, more n one way to skin a cat ken.

claytonender · 05-02-2011, 15:08

Ken it is a report coming to next weeks Cabinet meeting - http://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/downloa..._Equipment.pdf

Neil · 05-02-2011, 15:22

Do they class forums like this as social networking?

I can see lots of officers/councillors creating new anonymous accounts on forums if it goes through.

jaysay · 05-02-2011, 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

This is a new one.

An article in the LT today states that councillors are getting a new guide on data protection which apparently precludes writing about your work as a councillor on blogs and social networking sites.

Not had anything in my correspondence yet, but if my posts suddenly get a lot more fluffy then you know I've either been gagged or I need to grow a new pair.

If it's true I wonder who came up with that idea?

I can actually see the point if the computers or laptops that are used to access the Internet are council owned, but banning councillors from posting about their work on social networking sites, your having a laugh, but if that's the case Ken there's a mate of mine will do you a great deal in carrier pigeons seeing we're going back to the dark ages

If your interested PM me

jaysay · 05-02-2011, 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Do they class forums like this as social networking?

I can see lots of officers/councillors creating new anonymous accounts on forums if it goes through.

You mean people like Ken, Neil, if we see a new member called the Laird of Rishton it won't fool us will it

DaveinGermany · 05-02-2011, 15:39

Unless there's some clause or other in a contract somewhere you've signed up to effectively gagging you, I can't see how that can work ?

claytonender · 05-02-2011, 15:40

I think that they do class forums such as this as social networks. however how I understand the document it refers to divulging information that you received because you are councillor and which is privileged. It also deals with not naming people etc.

A lot of the report deals with use of HBC IT equipment and their email system, some councillors have laptops, printers and internet connection provided by HBC, whilst others (myself and Bernard included) get a monthly allowance (which is a taxable) to cover use of their own equipment. It is pretty standard for companies to have a policy regarding what employees can use the companies computer system for.

Neil - if you read my link I would be interested to see what you think of the report.

The thing that concerns me is that they may be trying to censor how I interact on Facebook - which certainly has nothing to do with my role as a councillor. I do have lots of links to Labour Party and Union info but this is in a private capacity.

Less · 05-02-2011, 15:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

Who watches the watchers?

You know what the internet is like, nothing is as private as you think.

Nobody watches or reads anything in the pm system because of the laws the owner has to keep copies of pm's but even he has nor wants an easy way to view them, and for anyone to be able to read them they would have to produce the absolute correct documentation for him to even attempt looking there.
You, me, anyone can pm with the knowledge that they are private.

Less · 05-02-2011, 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by claytonender

It is pretty standard for companies to have a policy regarding what employees can use the companies computer system for.

Excuse me? How long have Councillors been employed by HBC? Aren't they the peoples representatives placed there to do the bidding of the electorate?

claytonender · 05-02-2011, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Less

Excuse me? How long have Councillors been employed by HBC? Aren't they the peoples representatives placed there to do the bidding of the electorate?

I am sorry if I gave the wrong impression in my post but I was not saying that councillors were employed by HBC - just pointing out that most companies have similar policies for what purposes their IT equipment can be used for and most ban use of certain sites on their computers.

The councillors are definitely the people's representatives.

accyman · 05-02-2011, 17:13

thankfully its only called a guide ken.

hope you tell them to stick it up their backsides.

the way this council is getting i wouldnt dare use one of tehir in house computers for fear of ithaving a key logger on the system