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Government ends Facebook access for employees

The entire federal administation with the exception of the foreign ministry will bar their employees from accessing the social networking website Facebook.

The ban, which also includes employees of the Federal Chancellery, enters into force on September 15, the Chancellery announced on Thursday.

A study earlier this year revealed that Facebook was the second-most visited website by federal employees.

In May, senior officials of the seven ministries recommended that public servants limit private use of the internet at work. The body does not have enforcement power.

Overall traffic has decreased slightly since then, the Chancellery said. There was no significant decline in Facebook use.

Employees who can demonstrate the need for Facebook for professional purposes may appeal to their superiors for an exemption.

swissinfo.ch and agencies

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