The Department of Homeland Security (DHS or Department) will use this Instagram page for external relations (communications/outreach/public dialogue), to make photos and images widely available to the general public, and promote transparency and accountability. DHS Office of Public Affairs (OPA) serves as the executive agent for the DHS Instagram page and controls who at the Department has access to make changes to the page.
Instagram is a third-party social networking photo and image sharing tool and its privacy policy can be found at help.instagram.com/155833707900388. The DHS privacy policy and Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) govern the Department’s use of Instagram from a privacy perspective. The DHS privacy policy can be found at www.dhs.gov/privacy-policy. The DHS PIA "Use of Social Networking Interactions and Applications," September 16, 2010, also applies.
Users engaging the DHS Instagram page expect privacy protections while interacting with the Department. DHS will only post photos and images and, to the extent possible, will not allow the posting of public comments associated with these images. DHS will not use this Instagram page to: 1) actively seek PII; 2) search Instagram for or by PII; and 3) “view” public users’ photos and images proactively without a waiver from the DHS Privacy Office (exclusion is made to “viewing” other U.S. federal, state, local, and tribal government agencies.) To the extent a user posts or sends PII to the Department’s Instagram page, DHS will use the minimum amount necessary to accomplish a purpose authorized by statute, executive order, or regulation.
DHS will use this Instagram page to: 1) establish user names and passwords to form profiles; 2) accept requests from public user accounts to view DHS photos and images; and 3) post photos and images on Instagram related to official Department business. DHS may share photos and images posted on the DHS Instagram page if there is a demonstrated need to know, and will only post photos and images after it has been appropriately approved and vetted by DHS OPA.
The photos and images posted on the DHS Instagram page is available to the individual posting and to any and all users on the DHS Instagram page who are able to access the public-facing side of the account. To protect your privacy and the privacy of others, do not post photos and images that include your full name, date of birth, social security number, address, phone numbers, email addresses, case numbers, or any other sensitive PII.