INTRODUCTION

Use of official City of Gaithersburg social media accounts is intended to broaden the reach of communication and engagement with the community and stakeholders. Information posted on social media sites is intended to duplicate or supplement, not replace, information provided through other official City of Gaithersburg channels, such as www.gaithersburgMD.gov. By engaging with the City of Gaithersburg on social media, you agree to the following:

CONTACTING THE CITY OF GAITHERSBURG

City of Gaithersburg social media accounts are not monitored 24/7 and not all comments may receive a response. Posting comments, posts, chat messages, or otherwise contacting the City through social media websites does not constitute notice, legal or otherwise, to the City. Please visit the City’s website at www.gaithersburgMD.gov  for information on how to request specific government services, or email cityhall@gaithersburgmd.gov.

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT

Social media sites are third-party sites and have terms of service and policies that are not governed by the City of Gaithersburg. The City is subject to the terms of use for each social media site and is not liable for any damages incurred from the use of the social media site. The terms of services for the social media sites used by the City of Gaithersburg can be found below:

The information contained on each of the City’s social media pages is intended to supplement, but not replace, information provided through official channels. The City aims to provide accurate information through its social media pages, but social media sites may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Users should verify information with official channels, such as www.gaithersburgMD.gov, before relying on any information obtained from the City’s social media posts.

POSTS AND COMMENTS

Public postings and comments are permitted, allowing for a moderated online discussion directly relating to City of Gaithersburg topics, with language that is appropriate for residents, including minors. Third-party content and comments are not endorsed by the City. The City reserves the right to delete any comments at its discretion, including:

  • Comments that are not topically related to the particular post being commented on

  • Vulgar or disruptive language or content

  • Personal attacks or threats of any kind

  • Offensive content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation
     
  • Sexual content or links to sexual content

  • Spam or irrelevant/inappropriate links to other sites

  • Advocacy of activity that may be illegal

  • Promotion of particular services, products or political candidates or organizations

  • Content that violates a copyright, trademark or other legal ownership interest of any other party

  • Personally identifiable information (PII) about an individual, including but not limited to
    1. Medical information
    2. Contact information, such as emails, addresses or phone numbers
    3. Confidential or private information
    4. Confidential financial information

  • Information that may compromise the safety, security, or proceedings of public systems or any criminal or civil investigations

The City is not responsible for the content, claims, opinion, or statements made by third-party commentators on the City’s social media pages. The City does not endorse, support, sanction, verify or agree with the content of third-party comments. All claims, opinions, or statements made by third-party commentators are the views of those making the comments and do not represent the views of the City.

This page is not the appropriate forum for registering allegations of criminal activity or other accusations against individuals. If a person believes there is legitimate basis for complaints against the City, employees or any third party, then they should use appropriate means of registering the complaint, such filing a complaint, per City Code §17-2.1, through the City’s Whistleblower Program or calling 911.

EXTERNAL LINKS POSTED BY THE CITY OF GAITHERSBURG

The City of Gaithersburg permits the establishment of links to external websites on the City's social media pages. In establishing and maintaining its social media pages, the City may occasionally post links to external, third-party websites and social media profiles, including third-party organizations who have agreed to sponsor City programs or events.

Content on third-party websites and social media profiles are neither reviewed nor endorsed by the City. The City does not endorse, support, sanction, verify or agree with the content statements, commercial products, processes or services posted on any third-party website nor social media profile, unless explicitly stated by the City. The City further does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of information contained on a linked website.

Any information, materials, or advertisements placed online on third-party websites are the views and responsibility of those making the statements and do not represent the views of the City.

PUBLIC INFORMATION

All comments and posts, including those made by the public, are subject to public records and disclosure laws, including Maryland Public Information Act requests, as well as discovery in litigation. This includes, but is not limited to, information made available through a user’s privacy settings on their own social media and other Internet pages. Public Information Act requests, subpoenas, requests for assistance and legal service and/or complaints must be made directly to the City in accordance with law and not via a social media site. More information about the Maryland Public Information Act can be found at here or by email at cityclerk@gaithersburgmd.gov.