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Websites and Digital Services


Federal agency public websites and digital services are the primary means by which the public receives information from and interacts with the Federal Government. These websites and services help the public apply for benefits, search for jobs, comply with Federal rules, obtain authoritative information, and much more. Federal websites and digital services should always meet and maintain high standards of effectiveness and usability and provide quality information that is readily accessible to all.

Related Laws, Policies, and Resources:

  • E-Government Act of 2002

    Section 208 of the E-Government Act requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to develop guidance on notices for Federal agency websites used by the public.

  • OMB Circular A-130, Managing Information as a Strategic Resource (July 28, 2016)

    This Circular establishes general policy for the planning, budgeting, governance, acquisition, and management of Federal information, personnel, equipment, funds, IT resources, and supporting infrastructure and services. Among other things, it requires Federal agencies to maintain and post privacy policies on all agency websites, mobile applications, and other digital services, in accordance with the E-Government Act and OMB policy.

  • OMB Memorandum M-17-06, Policies for Federal Agency Public Websites and Digital Services (November 8, 2016)

    This Memorandum establishes policies for Federal agency public websites and digital services. Among other things, it requires Federal agencies to maintain a central resource page dedicated to its privacy program on the agency’s principal website. In addition, it requires Federal agencies to post privacy policies on their principal, sub-agency, component, and program websites, mobile applications, and other digital services.

  • OMB Memorandum M-10-23, Guidance for Agency Use of Third-Party Websites and Applications (June 25, 2010)

    This Memorandum requires Federal agencies to take specific steps to protect individual privacy whenever they use third-party websites and applications to engage with the public. It also applies when a Federal agency relies on a contractor (or other non-Federal entity) to operate a third-party website or application to engage with the public on the agency’s behalf.

  • OMB Memorandum M-10-22, Guidance for Online Use of Web Measurement and Customization Technologies (June 25, 2010)

    This Memorandum provides updated guidance and requirements for agency use of web measurement and customization technologies. Web measurement and customization technologies are technologies that are used to remember a user’s online interactions with a website or online application in order to measure and analyze usage or to customize the user’s experience.

  • OMB Memorandum M-03-22, OMB Guidance for Implementing the Privacy Provisions of the E-Government Act of 2002 (September 26, 2003)

    This Memorandum provides information to agencies on implementing the privacy provisions of the E-Government Act of 2002. Among other things, it includes guidance for privacy policies on Federal agencies’ websites used by the public.

  • OMB Memorandum M-99-18, Privacy Policies on Federal Web Sites (June 2, 1999)

    This Memorandum requires Federal agencies to post privacy policies on agency websites. Among other things, it includes guidance and model language for Federal website privacy policies.