THE CIA & SOCIAL MEDIA: AN INTRODUCTION

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06783934
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 20
• Document Creation Date: July 11, 2023
• Document Release Date: November 29, 2022
• Case Number: F-2014-01985
• Publication Date: September 21, 2010

Approved for Release: 2022/11/07 C06783934
The CIA & Social Media:
An Introduction
Expanding CIA's communications
capabilities in a Web 2.0 world
21 September 2010
Approved for Release: 2022/11/07 C06783934
Approved for Release: 2022/11/07 C06783934
What is Social Media?
� The landscape of the Internet is rapidly changing. Gone are the
days where:
0 People solely "browse" the Internet.
D Organizations and agencies solely manage an Internet site �
they're managing "brands" on several platforms.
� Social media � also referred to as Web 2.0 � defines the various
platforms/tools that integrate technology, content creation, and
social interaction.
� Traditionally, through social media, organizations can create
Web content, organize content, edit or comment on content,
combine content, and share content.
� Social media provides opportunities to engage the public through
information sharing � going to where the people are.
Approved for Release: 2022/11/07 C06783934
Approved for Release: 2022/11/07 C06783934
What is Social Media?
� Social media refers to online services, including:
o Facebook
o YouTube
o Flickr
o LinkedIn
D Twitter
o RSS Feeds
o Webinars
o Wikis, blogs, and podcasts
I. CIA launched RSS feeds in July 2008.
o The popularity of the feeds has grown each month since their launch. In
December 2009, more than 220,000 page views to CIA.gov were
attributable to our RSS feeds.
D As a "testing the waters" of social media, CIA RSS has proved very
successful.
Approved for Release: 2022/11/07 C06783934
Approved for Release: 2022/11/07 C06783934
The Changing Landscape
� 2000 (Then) �
2008 (Now)
o
46% of adults use Internet
o
75% of adults use Internet
a
5% with broadband at home
o
57% with broadband at home
D
50% own a cell phone
o
82% own a cell phone
CI