Is It Legal? Employers Ask Job Applicants for Social Media Login Information
Job seekers are reporting that they’re being asked to give potential employers their Facebook login and password information. Anna Kooiman reported that critics are comparing this startling trend to someone asking for the keys to your house or reading your personal diary.
Now, Senators Richard Blumenthal and Charles Schumer are calling for an immediate end to employers requesting this access to social media sites. They also asked the Department of Justice and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to investigate further.
Sen. Schumer warned, “Things that we deem private are just that, private. You shouldn’t be required to give up your right to
private communications. You shouldn’t be required to give up your private life just to get a job.”
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Online profiles often contain race, gender, religion and age, all of which fall under personal information that is protected by federal employment laws. This controversy has prompted Facebook to make it a violation of their Statement of Rights and Responsibilities.
The company criticized the practice in a statement saying, “You should never have to share your password, let anyone access your account, or do anything that might jeopardize the security of your account or violate the privacy of your friends. We have worked really hard at Facebook to give you the tools to control who sees your information.”
Tell us what you think! Is this practice legal and if asked, would you give out your login information to employers in order to get a job?
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