In class, you may have noticed that privacy is a very broad term. We're talked about it in the context of government intrusion upon private, intimate decisions, but we also discussed the privacy torts (appropriation, intrusion, private facts and false light).
Yet another area that we didn't have time to go into involved online privacy, and even that phrase encompasses a wide range of issues, from personal information being accessed online to police access to cell phones and computers.
I want to focus for a moment on the recent discussions about social media and employers. You may have heard how some employers have demanded that their workers and prospective employees give them access to their Facebook accounts. This has prompted two U.S. senators to ask U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder if this violates the law. Some states are exploring legislation to outlaw this activity.
After these initial reports, Facebook issued a strongly worded statement urging its members not to share their passwords and warning employers that they would explore legal options.
Some say that this is a "fake trend" in that it's not happening as much as recent news reports have suggested.
You can read a summary of what's happening by clicking here.
But one thing is clear -- employers are using social media to brush up on their job candidates.
I know many of you utilize social media. I wonder if these practices concern you. Have you had a potential employer (for a job or internship) ask for your Facebook password? Would you consider taking a job if you had to hand over your password? Do you or should you have an expectation of privacy for your activity on social media networks?
Please let me know what you think in the comments.
