AfterDawn: Tech news

Maryland first to ban employers from asking for Facebook login details

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 21 Apr 2012 1:11 User comments (5)

Maryland first to ban employers from asking for Facebook login details Once Governor Martin O'Malley signs the bill, Maryland will be the first state to ban employers from asking prospective employees for their Facebook login details.
The bill takes into account all other social media sites, as well, including Twitter.

State lawmakers passed the bill almost unanimously earlier in the month and the bill is now on the Governor's desk awaiting a signature.

Once the situation came to light earlier this year, Facebook made it clear that no one should ever give access to their Facebook page. Facebook Chief Privacy Officer Erin Egan said at the time: "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."



The social networking giant has been working with lawmakers since and has threatened legal action to protect its user's privacy.

Nine other states have proposed similar bills to Maryland's but none have passed yet. On a federal level, Senators have called upon the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to see if the employers are breaking any type of law.

Here is to hoping all states eventually pass similar laws banning this intrusive practice.

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5 user comments

121.4.2012 13:49

Employers should have their asses smacked for even asking much more than name, address & work history... asking for Facebook login information, who the hell are they!?! Even when I was 'in processing' for the military I told at least 4 people to kiss my ass.

That's like giving away your login information to your email or handing them a key to your house. Even Facebook has a list of crap telling you NOT to give away your login information to people.

I'd sue the crap out of any prospective employer for even asking such a thing. If I'm to bring home to work, then don't expect me to bring work home. What I do in my time is my business. Unless you want me in your business, leave it alone.

221.4.2012 14:03

Originally posted by LordRuss:
Employers should have their asses smacked for even asking much more than name, address & work history... asking for Facebook login information, who the hell are they!?! Even when I was 'in processing' for the military I told at least 4 people to kiss my ass.

That's like giving away your login information to your email or handing them a key to your house. Even Facebook has a list of crap telling you NOT to give away your login information to people.

I'd sue the crap out of any prospective employer for even asking such a thing. If I'm to bring home to work, then don't expect me to bring work home. What I do in my time is my business. Unless you want me in your business, leave it alone.
Yeah and they put you on a lot of shit details for telling them that.

321.4.2012 14:53

Originally posted by JST1946:
Yeah and they put you on a lot of shit details for telling them that.
"IN" processing... NOT BASIC... I'm slow, not stupid. I don't suffer fools, but I don't exactly like getting the crap beat out of me by half a dozen drill instructors either.

And yes, I did get my share of Dooty Details. My mouth awarded my ass an all expense paid trip to Asia per the US Army without my family because my E3 ass decided to tell an E7 how the real world operated.

He was what we call a ROAD warrior & thought he knew it all. I already had 15 years of the entertainment industry under my belt before coming into the military (longer story)... A pissing match ensued... Let's just say, the phrase "rank has it's privilege" was definitely learned on me by the time I touched down in Seoul, Korea.

Let's just say I still made it to E6 - 1.5 years later & still rubbed shoulders with people he rubs his useless manhood over. He retired 6 months after I left that duty station to no job, wishing in one & shitting in the other. Upon which I asked him which one he thought would get filled first upon his becoming a civilian.
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 21 Apr 2012 @ 3:11

421.4.2012 18:51

im thinking my first thoughts on this subject were correct.its going to become a non issue pretty quick.

522.4.2012 10:11

As I dont have any dealing with any social web site whether it be Twitter, Facebook, etc. I understand why people feel this way. Its like your employer telling you to strip down for no particular reason at all. Our freedoms even in the workplace are slowing taken away frkm us. Hell, keep this up, and well be like that lady in the UK who couldnt even hum the bars of a piece of music she liked while working! Now that they can kis my ass on!!

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