Review our complete Social Media Policy: https://www.ssfca.gov/socialmediapolicy
The City has an overriding interest and expectation in deciding what is “spoken” on behalf of the City through the use of Social Media. This Administrative Instruction (“Al” or “Policy”) establishes policies for the establishment and use of Social Media by the City as a means of conveying information about the City and its events and activities to its residents. City Social Media sites content shall only pertain to City-sponsored or City endorsed programs, services, and events. Approved content includes, but is not limited to, information, photographs, videos, and hyperlinks.
2. City Content posted to City Social Media sites must contain hyperlinks directing users back to the City's official website for in-depth information, forms, documents, or online services necessary to conduct business with the City whenever possible.
3. The City shall, at all times, have full permission or rights to any content posted by the City, including photographs and videos.
4. Any employee authorized to post items on any of the City's Social Media sites shall review, be familiar with, and comply with the respective Social Media site's use policies and terms and conditions.
5. Any employee authorized to post items on any of the City's Social Media sites shall not express their own personal views or concerns through such postings. Instead, postings on any of the City’s Social Media sites by an authorized City employee shall only reflect the views of the City.
6. Postings must contain information that is freely available to the public and not be confidential as defined by any City policy, state, or federal law.
7. Postings may not contain any personal information, except for the names of employees whose job duties include being available for contact by the public. Off-Topic Content
Comments not related to the business of the City (or a specific department, if applicable), or not relevant to the original topic of discussion; this includes hyperlinks to unrelated material.
2. Violent, Obscene, or Graphic Material
Content that is violent, profane, obscene, or pornographic; includes graphic depictions of violence, mutilation, dismemberment, or disfigurement of humans or animals; or contains any matter prohibited under Chapter 7.5 (beginning with Section 311) of Title 9, Part 1 of the California Penal Code.
3. Hate Speech and Discrimination
Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other protected class.
4. Threats, Defamation, and Harassment
Content that threatens, defames, or harasses any person or organization, or holds individuals or groups up to public ridicule, embarrassment, or derision.
5. Incitement or Endorsement of Illegal Activity
Content that promotes, encourages, or appears to encourage illegal or unlawful behavior, goods, or services, or includes conduct in violation of any federal, state, or local law.
6. Political Campaigning
Content that supports or opposes (or appears to support or oppose) any ballot measure, referendum, initiative, or candidate for elected office.
7. Religious Advocacy
Content that advocates for or against any religion or religious belief.
8. Promotion of Adult-Oriented Material
Content that promotes or appears to promote adult films (rated X or NC-17), sexually explicit video games (rated A or M), adult entertainment venues, escort services, or other adult-related goods or services.
9. Commercial Solicitation or Spam
Content that solicits commerce, advertises or promotes a non-governmental event, business, or product for sale; includes spam, junk mail, chain letters, pyramid schemes, or other promotional materials—unless providing support to official City programs or services.
10. Security and Privacy Violations
Content that may compromise the safety, security, or privacy of the public, City staff, or City systems, including the unauthorized release of personal or confidential information.
11. Copyright or Intellectual Property Violations
Content that infringes on legal ownership rights, such as copyrights or trademarks, of any party.
12. Malicious Software
Posts or links that contain malware, such as viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits, spyware, adware, or any other unwanted software.
13. Employee Conduct
Employees are prohibited from posting material related to their employment with the City that constitutes harassment, hate speech, libel, or disruption to the workplace. Such content is subject to immediate removal and may result in disciplinary action. Reporting/Removal of Unauthorized Comments
The City requires that Department-designated coordinators immediately notify the City Manager's Office if there is any posted material that may be inappropriate, that violates this Policy, or any City policy, is illegal, or that potentially infringes the copyrights or other rights of any persons. The City Manager's Office will investigate and respond to all reports of potential violations of this Policy. Any content removed based on these guidelines must be retained by the sponsoring Department for two years, including the time, date, and identity of the poster, when available. Upon removal of content, the coordinator shall notify the commenter that their response has been deemed inappropriate and removed due to inconsistency with the City's content requirements. The City reserves the right, at any time and without prior notice, to deny access to the Social Media site to any individual who violates this Policy.
