The Department of Homeland Security (DHS or Department) will only use the Snapchat accounts listed on the DHS Social Media Directory for external relations (communications/outreach/public dialogue), to make information and services widely available to the general public, while promoting transparency and accountability, as a service for those seeking information about, or services from, the Department.
The DHS Office of Public Affairs (OPA) serves as the executive agent for the DHS use of Snapchat and controls who has and will maintain access.
SnapChat is a third-party digital service (TPDS) and its privacy policy can be found at https://values.snap.com/privacy/privacy-policy. The DHS privacy policy can be found at https://wwww.dhs.gov/privacy-policy. The DHS PIA "Use of Social Networking Interactions and Applications," also applies.
DHS has concluded that users engaging DHS messaging on SnapChat fully expect privacy protections while interacting with the Department. While users may have been required to submit some personally identifiable information (PII) during the registration process for SnapChat, the Department will not solicit or collect this PII. DHS does not have access to, and will not seek, your registration information unless the information used during registration pre-populates a public profile when interacting with DHS, or if your privacy settings allow this display. DHS will only collect information posted to SnapChat that is necessary for the proper performance of official Department functions.
DHS will not use SnapChat to: 1) actively seek PII, and may only use the minimum amount of PII, which it receives, to accomplish a purpose authorized by statute, executive order, or regulation; 2) search social networking websites or applications for or by PII (PII sent to DHS may be retrieved by personal identifier if outlined in a previously published DHS Privacy Act System of Records Notices found at https://www.dhs.gov/privacy); and 3) ”friend” or “like” public users proactively without a waiver from the DHS Privacy Office (exclusion is made to “friending” or “liking” other U.S. federal, state, local, and tribal government agencies.)
The messaging posted on SnapChat is available to the individual posting, all users subscribed to the SnapChat channel, and any who can access the public-facing side of the channel. To protect your privacy and the privacy of others, do not include your full name, phone numbers, email addresses, social security number, case numbers or any other sensitive PII in your comments or responses.
DHS may share information posted on SnapChat if there is a demonstrated need to know and will only post information after it has been appropriately approved and vetted by DHS OPA.
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Policy
All DHS posts to Snapchat will ensure that information is presented neutrally, without bias or preference. DHS will not post information that suggests that the government will consider taking action that would amount to suppression or coercion of protected speech or other activities protected by the U.S. Constitution. DHS will also not collect or retain any information associated with activity on the service solely for the purpose of monitoring activities protected by the U.S. Constitution.