We all know Facebook allows us to do more than just keep in touch with our friends. Its 500,000 million users also sign in to see what people are saying about the local and world news, it is one of the best places to find local event announcements, and businesses and charities use it to connect with customers and colleagues. The site has also caught on with many cities, elected officials, and government agencies. Many have already been using (or are considering using) Facebook to keep in touch with their constituencies. The #1 social networking site has already proven itself helpful during natural emergencies. It is also proving to be an effective way to distribute information to tax-payers, blast municipal news and citywide events, and get feedback from the general public.

New changes to Facebook’s terms of service will allow more States and local governments to take advantage of the communication tool. 

Until this year, many "State and local governments had been concerned that under the previous conditions [of Facebook's terms of service] they would have to pay the company's legal fees if Facebook was sued because of content posted by an agency onto the website," among other issues, according to a Public CIO article posted on GovTech's website, entitled "Facebook Modified Terms of Service for State and Local Government." 

Read the article to find out how Facebook has changed their terms of service to better accommodate State and local governments. 

Colorado Attorney General John Suthers was especially concerned. "Suthers' office led a year-long negotiation with the social networking site on behalf of 13 states to modify the social networking site's terms of service so they no longer conflict with state constitutions, including Colorado's," Gazette (Colorado Springs) writer Andrew Wineke reports. Negotiations took some time but ultimately they were successful in addressing Suthers' major concerns. The modifications were announced at a National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) meeting, in Janaury 2011.

Suthers says; "We look forward to continuing to work with Facebook and starting a new dialogue with the people of Colorado through the company's website."

Jennifer Eberbach is a professional journalist and writer. Find contact information on her website www.jenthewriter.info.

The maturation of digital technologies, the internet, and social networking has proven to be one of the most pervasive influences that impacts how people communicate and manage information in the 21st century. It is not just the twittering teenagers and web-savvy businesses who are embracing next generation "messaging and technology" - one of the "Eight Assets" the Center for 21st Century Communities (21c3) champions on this site. Digital and internet technologies are also providing government with new ways to streamline operations, share information, and communicate with citizens. 

Michigan topped this year's list of “Top Digital States,” according to the 2010 Digital States Survey. The Center for Digital Government’s biannual study “examines best practices, policies and progress made by state governments in their use of digital technologies to better serve their citizens and streamline operations,” covering topics like e-infrastructure and utilizing online applications and Web 2.0., according to their website. Michigan and Utah were the only states to score an “A” grade this year, followed by “A-” recipients Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Michigan ranked high in all of the survey’s eight categories. It is 1st among all other states in the area of “Enterprise ICT (information and communications technology)” and 4th place or higher in all of the other categories - “Adaptive Leadership,” “Public Safety,” “Health and Human Services,” “Commerce, Labor and Tax,” “Finance and Administration,” “Energy and Transportation,” and “Citizen Engagement.”

The Center for Digital Government is a division of e.Republic, a public sector research, publishing, and events company. Registration is free to access numerous reports and resources on best e-practices and using digital technology for state and local governance. 

Jennifer Eberbach is a professional journalist and writer. Find contact information on her website www.jenthewriter.info.