Andre Yoskowitz
24 Mar 2012 17:43
Following a recent report that employers are now asking for Facebook details for prospective employees, the social networking giant has responded.
Facebook Chief Privacy Officer Erin Egan says: "If you are a Facebook user 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...As a user, you shouldn't be forced to share your private information and communications just to get a job."
Lawmakers and civil rights groups have been up in arms since the report was published, and with good reason.
Facebook also added: "If an employer sees on Facebook that someone is a member of a protected group [e.g., over a certain age, etc.], that employer may open themselves up to claims of discrimination if they don't hire that person."
A congressional bill blocking employers from seeing prospective employee's Facebook pages is in the works, as well.