Federal Records Act
Agency content that documents government organization, functions, policy, decisions or operations may meet the federal-record definition.
Federal government
Keep the federal record connected to the public conversation.
When agency social content meets the federal-record definition, it must be managed under agency policy and applicable schedules. Brolly captures posts, comments, revisions and media from connected official accounts so records, communications and FOIA teams can review the same chronology.
Records officersCommunications teamsFOIA professionals
The framework
Three authorities. One agency-owned process.
The content, business context and agency policy determine what becomes a federal record and how it must be managed.
Brolly supports capture, retention configuration, search, review and export. The agency and its authorized officials make classification, scheduling, legal-review, redaction and disclosure decisions.
The teams behind the workflow
Public communication and records review stay connected.
Different federal functions can work from the same captured chronology while retaining their own authority and access.
Illustrative editorial images. The people and settings shown are not federal employees, Brolly customers, agencies or endorsements.
One public update. One connected federal chronology.
This fictional scenario explains the relationship between a public channel and the authorized record without representing an exact application screen.
AGAgency information office
The public briefing begins at 2:00 PM. Updated access information is available on the agency website.
Public question
Will a transcript and supporting materials be published afterward?
Will a transcript and supporting materials be published afterward?
Capture
+ custody
+ custody
Source, revisions and review history stay connected
Record FG-0427Retained
Source capturedPost, account identity, timestamp and media context retained.
Revision preservedUpdated wording remains connected to the original capture.
Agency reply connectedThe public question and official response remain in chronology.
From channel to authorized action
Capture first. Apply agency judgment next.
Technology preserves the source and context. Authorized teams apply policy and legal judgment.
Define official accounts
Confirm the agency channels and content scope that should be captured.
Keep the chronology
Retain captured posts, comments, edits, deletions, media and metadata together.
Apply policy
Records, communications and counsel assess content under agency procedures.
Prepare authorized output
Search, review and export records in the formats required for the workflow.
Evidence, not decoration
Three views of the same retained record.
Each exhibit communicates a capability without presenting an unverified federal application interface.
Original and changed wording
Review captured versions in their chronology.
Original post 1:42 PM
Edited wording 1:58 PM
Current public view 2:06 PM
Source, question and reply
Keep public context associated with the official update.
Agency update
Briefing access information published.
Briefing access information published.
Public question
Will supporting materials follow?
Will supporting materials follow?
Agency reply
Transcript and files will be posted.
Transcript and files will be posted.
Structured evidence together
Prepare authorized records for downstream review.
Account identityVersion historyConversationExport context
Security assessment
Documented controls for agency review.
Brolly is ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified and CSA STAR registered. Security documentation is available to support your agency's assessment process.
NIST SP 800-53 alignedAES-256 at restTLS 1.2+MFARole-based access99.95% uptime SLA
Federal questions
Asked by records officers and FOIA teams.
Does the Federal Records Act cover social media?
The Federal Records Act defines records by content and business context rather than medium. Agency social media content that meets the federal-record definition must be managed under agency policy and applicable NARA-approved schedules.
What does NARA expect agencies to do?
NARA guidance directs agencies to identify social media records, determine what content and context must be captured, and manage those records under approved schedules. Agency records officers remain responsible for classification and disposition decisions.
How does FOIA apply to agency social media?
Agency-held social media records may be responsive to FOIA requests. Brolly supports authorized teams with search, chronology review and structured exports; the agency determines responsiveness, exemptions, redaction and production.
Is a platform export enough?
Platform exports vary in scope and may not preserve every comment, revision or surrounding context an agency needs. Independent capture from connected official accounts can support a more complete, searchable record.
What security information is available for assessment?
Brolly is ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified and CSA STAR registered, with controls aligned to NIST SP 800-53, AES-256 encryption at rest, TLS 1.2+ in transit, MFA and role-based access. Assessment documentation is available on request.
Keep the public moment. Support the authorized record.
See how connected official channels, revision history and conversation context can support your agency's records workflow.