ACLU: Facebook password isn't your boss' business

ACLU: Facebook password isn't your boss' business

Thu March 22, 2012

CNN Tech http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/22/tech/social-media/facebook-password-employers/index.html?npt=NP1

            Throughout the course of this class and these blog assignments I have mainly focused on articles having to do with Facebook. Many of the articles I have previously read focused on privacy. The first article had to do with privacy in regards to pictures. The second article taught readers how to make sure their information was still private after Facebook came out with a new format that could show a user's entire Facebook history. Over the years it has become evident that Facebook has a huge influence on whether or not an applicant gets the position they applied for, whether it be a job or getting into a college. This most recent article only emphasizes what an impact has on a person's chances of getting a job and it even questions if businesses are taking it too far.

            Facebook's Terms of Service clearly states to its users that "You will not share your password, (or in the case of developers, your secret key), let anyone else access your account, or do anything else that might jeopardize the security of your account." Lately however more and more people are being forced to give up their Facebook passwords to their bosses, or the people interviewing them for a certain position. "Robert Collins of the Baltimore area has said that he was looking to be reinstated to his job as a correctional officer in 2010 when he was asked for his Facebook password." Although he did not want to give up his password, his boss gave him the impression that if he wanted the job that it wasn't an option. After giving his boss his Facebook password he asked why he needed to log into his account. His boss replied, "I am looking through your messages, on your wall and in your photos to make sure you are not a gang member or have any gang affiliation." Many people are comparing this to a person asking to go through and open up all of your main, or take the key to your house and have a look. It is seen as a total invasion of privacy and many people believe that everyone has a right to a private life.

            Personally I think that this is absolutely ridiculous. I do believe that people have a right to their personal lives. With that being said, I still believe people should be cautious with what they share on the web but no user should have to worry about their messages on Facebook having an impact on whether or not they get a job. I think that facebook already has a huge influence on people and that there needs to be laws in place to protect users from having all of their privacy stripped from them.