Clearspring, Facebook ink deal with GSA - Washington Business Journal:

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AddThis is a Web-based software application that lets userzs bookmark and shareWeb sites. ClearSpring, which help s content publishers create small onlineapplicationxs — or widgets — to spread their content and connect with advertisers, boughft AddThis LLC last September for an undisclosed sum. AddThisw reaches about a half billion users With thenew agreements, GSA and other federal agencies will be able to create Web page that allow users to better access and use information to educate users abour government services and allow greater interactio n between government and the public-- a major objective of President Barack Obama.
Negotiations began in 2008 between the socia l media companies and a groupo of agencies ledby GSA. Prior to GSA’e agreements, concerns existed over the legaol implications of standard terms and conditions that users must agree to when usingonlinw services. The GSA agreements resolvess those issues, such as liability, endorsements, freedom of information and governing law. Now, other federal agencies can sign the same agreement and begin using the sociaplmedia tools.
“We are working at a fevereed pace to improvethe public’s experience when engaging with the said Martha Dorris, acting associate administrator for the Office of Citizenj Services and Communications, in a “USA.gov is breaking new ground by migratingv to new media sites to provide a presencwe and to open up a dialog with the she said. “We know that many othef agencies want to dothe same, and having thes e agreements is an important first step.” GSA’s also signed servicr agreements with Flickr, Blist, blip.tv, and is discussing similafr arrangements with other providers of free, new medi services.