Maryland Republicans are questioning a new administration-issued ban on social networking Web sites Facebook and MySpace, accusing Democrats of pulling the plug on high-tech GOP outreach.
Citing concerns for computer viruses, the state’s General Assembly on Friday blocked Facebook and MySpace from the computers of legislators and their staffs. The social networking sites have become popular ways for some lawmakers, particularly Republicans, to reach voters in their home districts.
And some said they aren’t buying the explanation.
“The whole world uses Facebook but, miraculously, the Maryland General Assembly is susceptible to some virus attack,” said House Minority Leader Anthony O’Donnell. “It seems like baloney to me.”
Office of Legislative Information Systems Director Michael Gaudiello told lawmakers he has seen a significant increase in viruses on General Assembly computers this year and that many of the infecting programs are originating from Facebook and MySpace.
Gaudiello said other sites might be blocked in the future, according to a copy of a memo he sent to lawmakers provided to The Examiner by political blogger Judd Legum.
Assembly leaders, including House Speaker Mike Busch, are supporting the ban, officials said.
“Our biggest priority is the integrity of the legislation’s server,” said Busch spokeswoman Alex Hughes.
More than 40 lawmakers have created Facebook profiles and many legislators use the Web sites to pass time during long floor sessions and bill hearings.
The threat of viruses can be eliminated by making sure lawmakers run up-to-date browsers and anti-virus software, said Facebook spokesman Barry Schnitt, who called the ban an extreme and rare step.
“Facebook has immense potential to help officials’ ability to govern and also to foster civic interaction and participation,” Schnitt said. “We believe, and the delegates we’ve heard from have expressed dismay that, Maryland is taking a tremendous step backward.”
