California One Step Closer to Banning Employers from Snooping Facebook Passwords
Specifically, the bill as written would "prohibit an employer from requiring an employee or prospective employee to disclose a username or account password to access a personal social media account that is exclusively used by the employee or prospective employee." As defined by the bill, 'social media' refers to "any electronic medium where users may create, share, and view user-generated content, including uploading or downloading videos or still photographs, blogs, video blogs, podcasts, instant messages, or online social networking content."
There have been numerous reports recently of employers asking job candidates for their Facebook credentials right there on the spot during the interview. When that happens, it puts cash strapped job seekers in a precarious position where they must decide what's more important, a job that could pay the bills and feed the family, or their personal privacy. California's state Assembly agreed unanimously in a 73-0 vote to pass the bill that would make such choices obsolete. If it goes the distance, California will become to first state to ban the practice of employers asking for social networking login information.