The San Francisco County Rules Committee convened on July 4, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, with a primary focus on the proposed ordinance for the Department of Elections regarding the use of social media monitoring technology.

The meeting began with the introduction of item number four, which pertains to the ordinance approving a surveillance technology policy for the Department of Elections. Director John Arntz presented the department's request to acquire a social media monitoring program designed to streamline the management of various social media accounts, including Twitter, Facebook, Nextdoor, and Instagram. This tool aims to consolidate social media interactions into a single dashboard, enhancing efficiency and reducing the need for multiple personnel to manage different accounts.

Director Arntz emphasized that the program is not intended for tracking individual users but rather for monitoring engagement metrics such as responses and interactions with posted content. This data will help the department understand public interest and engagement levels regarding various topics, thereby improving outreach efforts.

During the discussion, committee members inquired about the specifics of the technology, including potential brands. Director Arntz noted that while they had trialed a version of Sprout Social, they had not yet finalized a vendor, as the process had been ongoing since 2022.

Following the presentation, public comment was opened. David Pilpel, a member of the public, expressed support for the ordinance, asserting that the proposed use of technology is reasonable and not indicative of mass surveillance concerns.

After public comments concluded, the committee voted unanimously to forward the ordinance to the full board with a positive recommendation. The meeting then transitioned to item number five, which involved amendments to the administrative code regarding contractor regulations.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the Department of Elections' commitment to utilizing technology to enhance communication and engagement with the public while ensuring transparency and efficiency in its operations. The next steps will involve further discussions and potential approval by the full board.