Employers Requesting Social Media Passwords

Posted by in Marketing •


 

The very first thing you learn about computer safety is never share your password. However many employers are finding it commonplace to request social media password info as part of the application process.

 

Many feel this violates the Federal Stored Communications Act which makes it illegal for anyone to access another’s account without valid authorization. The threat of not being considered for a position without supplying the password invalidates the authorization.

 

Facebook says whatever the law it violates their privacy policy which states that users are not allowed to share passwords. The way Facebook works is by users allowing friends to see their posts and personal information. They are not allowing users to allow companies to use their friend’s accounts to view their personal information.

 

Their official statement on the issue is, "We don't think employers should be asking prospective employees to provide their passwords because we don't think it's the right thing to do. While we do not have any immediate plans to take legal action against any specific employers, we look forward to engaging with policy makers and other stakeholders, to help better safeguard the privacy of our users."

 

They are warning companies that this opens up them up to litigation should they discover that the candidate has allowed them access to any information that pertains to age, race, religious affiliation, or medical history. Even if the applicant isn’t the most qualified, they can use that the other information the company garnished from their social media page which may have caused them to be discriminated against.

 

 Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut are trying to stop this sort of practice by filling in the gaps legally by drafting a bill and checking to see if the Stored Communications Act or the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act is being violated.

 

Schumer says, "In an age where more and more of our personal information – and our private social interactions – are online, it is vital that all individuals be allowed to determine for themselves what personal information they want to make public and protect personal information from their would-be employers. This is especially important during the job-seeking process, when all the power is on one side of the fence.”

 

 Their bill doesn’t just pertain to asking for passwords but “shoulder surfing” as well where employees log in but employers watch over their shoulder as they access the info on their account.

 

What do you think? Would you be willing to provide the passwords to your social media sites just to be considered for a job?
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  • Heather Fairchild
    Heather Fairchild •
    Thanks for the feedback! Great advice for an alternative compromise Don. It's amazing how powerless people can feel when they are desperate sometimes.
  • Timothy P
    Timothy P •
    I would not extend access to my private email and social networking sites to a prospective employer or actual employer.  I believe that this is a privacy violation.
  • Don B
    Don B •
    Due to prospective employers seeking additional information about potential employees, job seekers are being told that in order to be considered for a particular job, they must reveal their personal and private Facebook password, which violates Facebook's user terms. Fortunately there's  a NEW way for job seekers to accommodate employers without giving them their personal passwords and access to their private information. The PEP Code allows employers to see additional information about potential employees by viewing their Potential Employee Profile page and it gives job seekers control over what information is seen. There's more information at: http://www.JobSeekerPEPcode.com or http://www.FreePEPcode.com
  • Patti C
    Patti C •
    I agree with Pete, and would like to add that if an applicant freely gives up their password (confidential information), they may do the same when asked for company confidential information.  Hummmm
  • daniel C
    daniel C •
    I am an employer. I do not feel it is within my right to ask for personal information such as a social website. It to me is a matter of privacy. Plus if I were to make a decision about whether to hire someone because I do not agree with their political views I believe I would be committing an act of discrimination. THe only reason those other employers want the site is to see if there hirees follow their political agenda or not which is a form of discrimination. Period
  • Pete F
    Pete F •
    This is where I definitely "Draw A Line In The Sand" I have been working in IT for over 15 years and this, as the Writer has pointed out, this requirement goes against the grain of everything Users are taught concerning Password Security....If they have true Security Concerns they need to have a Background Investigation performed. Having been through several for Departments of Defense and Justice positions, they are quite thorough as I am sure one performed by Private Commercial firms would be as well.This is nothing more than Companies wanting to spy into the private lives and postings of their Employees and perspective Employees. I don't care what job it is or with whom, I will not divulge my passwords or account information. They get the Standard Basic Information which includes an email address and that is it!Thank you for trying to bring this to consciousness of the masses.   

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