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.
57 comments:
Morgan Wallace- 12:30 TH-
I personally don't know that any of my employers have checked my social media sites, but I bet they have. I deleted my Facebook about a month ago because I was tired of keeping up with it. I am glad I did because now all this is coming into play with them checking it and all. I would still consider taking a job if I had to hand over my password because I kept my profile pretty clean. They only thing I would worry about is what other people post on Facebook that is inappropriate. That is the one thing my dad always said, that it is guilt by association if people are saying bad things on there. I am friends with them, so it looks bad on me too. As for the expectation of privacy, its online. Its not private anymore. If you wanted it to all be private in the first place, don't post it online.
Emma Lacouture - 12:30 TH
I personally have never had a potential employer ask for my facebook password, but I know that if they did ask for it I would deny their request. I do agree that with Morgan ^ on her comment about not posting something on the internet if you wanted it to be private. My concern wouldn't be about my profile and posts, but the information the potential employers would gain about friends or family. Allowing someone onto my facebook account would allow them access to much more than my information and I don't think I should have the right to put my friends and family in a more public light when their profiles are most likely private to anyone who is not their " friend" on facebook. I have messages in my inbox, which are not viewable to the public facebook eye, that the employer would then have access to. Some of those messages could contain very personal information about other people that was sent in confidence knowing that I would be the only one reading it. I would be happy to show them around my facebook, keeping certain areas private, or to become their friend on facebook where they could scroll through my profile.
I have not had an experience when an employer has asked me for my password to Facebook twitter etc. My Facebook and Twitter have always been on private and I usually try to have a balance of personal & professional when creating my profiles. I feel that asking for a password is stepping over the lines of privacy. I understand they might look and see what your social media profiles look like but giving up passwords is a little too much. I wouldn't like for my employer to see a personal conversation i have with my best friend or with my family. I'm not to sure if i would work for that company, news organization if they asked me for my password. I would be very skeptical at first
I remember looking for internships a few months ago and one of the application requirements was allowing the company access to my Facebook account. The first thing that went through my mind was okay I'll do it. Then I thought about it some more and realized that I could just deactivate it for the term of the internship. I believe that everyone has the right to their privacy on social networks. Although someone or myself could tweet something that could possibly jeopardize a company's reputation without even realizing it. That would be the only justification for giving a job access to my social media or Facebook accounts.
Sean Kimmons: T-TH 1230
I've never had a prospective employer ask for my Facebook account password. If they did, I'd laugh in their face. With the emergence of social media, a person's identity is easier than ever to track down. I, for one, try to be smart and keep any potential damaging material from social media. The privacy settings on Facebook, and other sites, allow myself to share my life with friends and family but leave the unwanted spies at bay.
F 11-1:50
I've haven't applied for any employment/internship positions since this trend started, but if I was ever asked for my password during an interview I would decline as politely as possible. If that resulted in my not getting the job, it would really only be for the better because I don't want to work for a company that believes it should have access to the private goings on of its employees. There is information on my Facebook profile that it is illegal for employers to ask for on applications in many states, so I fail to see how it can be legal for them to demand access to it online. I also am very careful with my privacy settings for a reason. I control what the public can see, and my boss should not be able to keep tabs on what only my closest friends have access to.
I find it incredibly disturbing that any company should feel entitled to what is essentially the same thing as rifling through potential employers' houses and listening in on their private conversations. What I do on company time and how well I do the job for which I was hired should be the only things that matter to employers.
I've never personally been asked by an employer for facebook details, but from what I've seen it's common to at least have your profile browsed for basic information either before or after an interview.
I can't see myself giving out personal information like a facebook password to any employer. What I want to be public information is already set to 'public'; I have 'secret' groups on facebook for a reason. Just because it's online doesn't automatically mean it's public (or company) domain. There are privacy options for a reason.
We talked about this topic in my Campaigns class a lot. I feel like it is a huge invasion of privacy and I would not give my username or password to an employer, or anyone for that matter. It is a very personal website displaying mostly social aspects of your life, not professional. There are many other sites such as Linkedin or even Twitter that are actually meant to show future employers or networking partners your achievements and abilities. I refuse to give out my username and password because of personal privacy and the want for respect - Not because I am afraid of what they will find.
12:30 T-Th Media Law
I have not had this happen to me, though I have heard of employees getting fired for various reasons due to social media sites. I would personally not care for the persons personal life unless it affected how professional they acted on the job and how well they performed it.
I think it is all up to the person whether they choose to use social media. If you know how to control the privacy settings on your page, set them properly. You could be one post away from getting fired.
Alyson Svec
TH 1230 Media Law
I never had an employer ask me for my password, but it's not something I'd be comfortable with giving out. I understand if they chose to view my Facebook page, whether it is private or not. I actually have my manager and employees on my friends list, which is not an issue at all. You should have an expectation of privacy on your social network sites, but it is your choice what you decide to post to the public. I don't think I would take a job if they asked for my password. I would feel paranoid thinking that someone is looking through my messages or deleting something I post.
TH 12:30
My Facebook profile is not set on private, so if I ever have had or have employers see it, it's not a big deal. Personally, I have nothing to hide and I'm very much aware of the fact that employers look to the internet for background information on their hirees. However, asking for the password is be going too far. I understand that they want good employees, but maybe asking to see the profile during the interview process will be a better alternative to getting the password. Who knows, the employer could end up being a pervert and stalk the future employees, now that is an invasion of privacy. I just think that handing over the password could have serious consequences if put in the wrong hands.
Taylor Wood
Media Law t/th 12:30
I have never had an employer ask me for my Facebook password, and I dont think I would ever give them that information. I believe what you allow the public to see on your social media sites is fairgame for empolyers, but your personal messages and what you keep under privacy settings should be kept private. Why would employers even want to see what you have under privacy settings and the messages you send? If the general public can't see them, why should the company feel as if you are a threat to their image.
However, I personally don't have anything incrimating on my social media pages. It can only be so protected, and I would perfer my private information to stay that way.
Marisha Bailey 12:30 TTH
I have never had a prospective employer ask for my facebook information, and I personally would not give it to them. Yes, since it is on the internet it no longer is 100% confidential, but I believe you should also have the right too keep your life outside of the work environment confidential. I think it is wrong for them to see everything about a person before they even come in for an interview, some things should just be kept private, that's why facebook has the setting options. This way there is no judgement made on the employee before that have a chance to make the initial impression.
Chris Blackmon
12:30 TTH
I have personally never had to deal with an employer asking for my Facebook information or as far as I know, ever looking me up on Facebook. I don't agree with companies trying to deliberately gain access to your account by using your password. I would have no problem with them casually looking at my page. My account is public and I'm not trying to hide anything. It's a touchy subject, but I can see companies backing away from this method.
This hasn't happened to me yet, but I'm pretty sure my employers have looked at my page. I would never give my password to a potential employer. Everyone should be able to keep their social media to themselves and privately if they choose to.
Jose Hernandez
Media Law
TTH 12:30-1:50
From my experiences, I have not had any of my past or present employers ask me for my Facebook password. I do believe it is an invasion of privacy though because these social media websites are meant for personal use. Although, I do understand the possibility of being searched on Google for reference from potential employers. I would consider taking a job even if I was asked to give them my password although, I would rather not be put in that situation. I know better than to not post anything I want to keep private on the internet, but others having my password is greater pressure. We should all have an expectation of privacy for the more personal social media sites such as Facebook. Employers have other forms of keeping up with their employees other than being "big brother/sister" and asking for passwords.
I have never had a potential employer ask for my Facebook password. If that were to happen I would probably give them the password, go home and deactivate my Facebook account after changing the old password. I do not particularly care for it anyway and would probably consider getting a job to be more important. I do think however, employers demanding Facebook accounts from their employees will eventually be considered an invasion of privacy. What's next, are they going to expect to be allowed to read our text messages? So yes, I do think that users have, and should have a least some expectation of privacy on social media outlets.
Katie Wright T&TH @12:30
I have never had an employer ask for my Facebook password. In fact, in my previous jobs, my employers instructed the staff to keep that out of the work place. They didn’t mind if we all became friends but we weren’t allowed on the internet at work and they didn’t want us gossiping in front of customers. I don’t think I would ever take a job where they asked for my username and password to any social media site. I understand that employers want to make sure they’re hiring a reliable person but I think having access to someone’s personal account is invasion of privacy. I think there is a certain level of privacy for activity on social media sites. Putting information out on sites such as Facebook and Twitter invite friends and followers in on your personal life but most of the time, you know the people you’ve added on these accounts. I think work and one’s personal social media site should be kept separate.
To hear that employers have started to ask for or did at one time ask for Facebook passwords is ridiculous. I have never had any employer ask me for my password to my Facebook or any social media site, and I would not be ok giving them access to the sites. I only have a Facebook, and I keep it clean of any bad posts or pictures because I’m friends with my mom, aunts, uncles, cousins etc. I also keep it clean because I do realize employers scout you out through social media. I would not be ok giving up my passwords because I do feel like we need to feel some kind of security and keep some type of privacy in our lives. By giving up our passwords to employers I feel that's an invasion of privacy that's not necessary.
Gabby McGeown
Media Law ITV fridays
I have never been asked for my facebook password by an employer but I would not give it to them if they did. I am sure employers have seen my facebook and im fine with that because there is nothing on there but having my password is to much..I have seen people get fired and get in trouble for facebook though, I worked with a girl who called in sick on a friday and then checked in at south padre island and was like woohoo party time lol and our boss was her friend on facebook, so yeah that was just dumb on her part. I think if you are aware of what your doing on there it shouldnt have to be an issue.
I personally would not accept a job that asked for personal information such as passwords to my social media accounts. Social media is there for you to speak your mind, in my opinion, and not so you can be watched over by big brother. Sure, there are some things that should not be expressed over social media since it's open to public most of the time, but at the same time, companies shouldn't have the right to censor what you are deciding to put up. This is a matter of freedom of speech, and although our founding fathers couldn't have even imagined anything such as social media and internet back in their time, they most definitely didn't want anyone to take away our right to speak our minds no matter the medium.
Claire Courtney
T/Th 12:30
I have never had a potential employer ask for my Facebook information, but I would put some money on it that some future job boss would ask for it; or at least snoop to the best of their abilities. There was one time, however, that I had an altercation with a woman's car who lived the next block over from me. It was really early in the morning so I just left the woman a note on her car with all of my insurance information, address (which was a block away), and everything I needed to be held accountable for what had happened. Before settling the dispute, I get a blast on Facebook from this lady's husband putting me out there "as the girl who hit's and runs". Just from them knowing my information and then being able to find me so easily on this site we love called Facebook, scared me enough to delete my account for a while; just to not have any more mis understandings. BUT, I have logged back into the social network, and have set privacy settings where needed, and really censor what I should and shouldn't put up there.
Michelle Rohmer
ITV Media Law
Friday, 11-1:50 PM
Although I do not agree with employers asking for access to potential employees Facebook accounts, it is still something I would agree to if it was a job I really wanted. My expectation of privacy on social media networks is that there is no privacy. I never post anything I wouldn’t want the whole world to see and I always make sure my account settings are on private. If an individual does not have their profile set to private or they post questionable subject matter, I feel like they are fair game for employers to search because they are not doing anything to protect themselves.
Olivia Gustin
Media Law T/Th 12:30
Olivia Gustin
Media Law T/Th 12:30
I think that it is acceptable for employers to view an applicant's Facebook profile, based on what information that person has chosen to display to the public. However, I think it is an outrageous breach of privacy for an employer to request someone's password. I have not heard of this "trend," and I would find it offensive for an employer to request my password. I think it is important to maintain a professional boundary, and that would be crossing it. What a person chooses to display on their profile is their choice, and an employer can decide based of that information if they want to hire them, but it would be inappropriate for them to log onto a person's account. I think there can be a misrepresentation between what the person privately does on Facebook and how they portray themselves in a professional environment.
I wouldn't feel comfortable giving out my Facebook password to a employer because I feel that is an invasion of privacy and steps over their boundaries.
I feel that privacy settings are there for a reason, and they should be protected. But on the other hand, I do realize that employers want to know what kind of person they are hiring, and "Facebook creeping" can give some insight.
Teens and college students just need to be careful about what they post and what pictures they are tagged in, because you never know who will be able to see them and possibly judge them.
It is unfortunate that things that are "private" arent always assured private, but I feel like that's just a risk you take when you post things on the internet.
Thamer favor t th 12:30
I have never had a job ask me for my password for my Facebook or any web account of mine. I have had my employers and fellow employees ask to be my friend on Facebook, but that's it. I would have to think long and hard about accepting a job if they asked to have my password to anything. I understand that Facebook is very public, even though you can change around the privacy settings. I have always been very cautious about what people post on my Facebook to what pictures are taken of me, so giving if the job did obtain my Facebook password they wouldn't find anything. But that's not the point, I am a very private person and if an employer tried to infringe upon my privacy then I wouldn't want to be apart of that company. That is overstepping boundaries and I wouldn't want to be apart of something that did that.
I'm not comfortable with the idea of an employer asking for my facebook password and access to my social media sites. Luckily I have never had a potential employer request such information, but I do think some potential employers look up your facebook before they decide whether or not to hire you.
I'm always very cautious of what I post and what pictures I display on my facebook because of this. I believe anything you post or any pictures you put up reflect your character. Employers don't really know you, so they judge you on simple things like this. I wouldn't give up my facebook password for just any employer, but for the right job and possibly if it were government related, I would. I have nothing to hide. I believe social media sites play a huge role in today's society and because of this, we should all be wary of what we post on any site because anything we write can be taken as a representation of who we are.
T/Th media law class @ 12:30
I would never give any one any of my passwords even if it cost me my job. I use FB and I have my pretty private. I don't say anything that I think would harm my image. It is just the principle of the thing. I should allow people I want to be on my FB. I never mention work on FB and I don't list where I work and most ppl on my FB don't know where I work. I do worry about pictures on FB- that some of my friends could copy them and show pictures of my daughter to strangers. I do not list my birthday, or what city I live in, Pictures are at least a year old, etc. In fact I don't list my cell and in fact my birthdate I gave FB is incorrect.
Debbie H.
Geraldo Rivera
T/Th 12:30
I have never been asked by an employer for my Facebook password but If I was asked, I would kindly decline for the simple fact that I wouldn't feel comfortable knowing that someone else other than myself having my personal passcodes to anything. However, I wouldn't mind showing them my profile because I don't post much and if I do, I make sure it's appropriate for any audience.
I would never consider giving my password to anyone much less a potential employer.I have never had an employer ask for my password any any information like that. I think that asking for a Facebook password is going way too far and imposes on my privacy rights immensely.
I have never had a prospective employer ask for my social media passwords. I'm sure they have looked at them (as much as they can for it being on the privacy settings) but I would never give anyone the password to my private online accounts. I would rather delete it and it not be an issue. I think it's acceptable for companies to view your profiles online though, as long as they don't have access to it.
I had never heard of employers asking prospective job candidates for their Facebook password, until it was mentioned it class.
I think that is a completely absurd request, and I would never even consider giving that away to a potential employer. It is one thing to peep on someone's public infomation on Facebook, but a completely different issue to want to be able to access someone's personal messages/account information, as well as to obtain the ability to pose as them via social media.
Robert Cox
Media Law
T/TH 12:30
I think it's fine if an employer wants to look at my Facebook (my profile is public anyway), but I consider giving them my password an invasion of my privacy. Like many people on this thread, I would rather delete my Facebook account than let someone else have access to it.
Kim Castelluccio
Media Law T/TH 12:30
I personally have never had an employer ask for my facebook password, nor would I give it to them if they asked for it. It would be an invasion of privacy to let anyone have access to my personal account.
I do understand employers concern with practicing good social media though. Employees are the ones who represent their company afterall.
Personally, I've never had an employer ask me for access to my Facebook account, but I can understand why they might want it seeing as how you're an employee and are representing their business. I don't have a position on this matter, I guess it's just up to the user's discretion if he/she has something they feel the employer would deem as inappropriate.
I have never had my work ask for my Facebook password and personally I would feel as though that information is none of their business because that is something I do on my own time. I personally use FB for jus connecting with old friends and keeping family updated with pictures of my girls, so I don't have anything to hide on there but don't feel it is anything that they should have access to. If I was asked to hand over my password and it was a matter of me losing my job over it, maybe I would just create another page and give them that password. :-))
Jennifer S. Media Law ITV
I have had two internships and four job interviews and none of them have asked for my password. I don't think this is common for most corporations, but if I was asked to do so, I would not give my password to the company. I agree that they should be able to search for us to see which privacy settings we use, but asking for a password is an invasion of privacy.
-Whitney Vick, Media Law TTH 2pm
Codi Stone
San Marcos Friday ITV
Although I've heard of employers or potential employers reviewing your FaceBook, MySpace or Twitter, I've never heard of one demanding access to your account. I feel this not only violates personal privacy it's just wrong. I would never take a job that required that type of scrutiny. If they don't think you adult enough to show some discretion on social media than the probably shouldn't have hired you in the first place.
I knew there was a trend recently-potential employers looking candidates on social media sites. I think in some circumstances this is understandable.For example, I wouldn't want to hire a teacher who has a half naked "avatar" on Facebook.
However, giving passwords is absolutely insane.
I haven't had an employer ask for my Facebook password or account information. I'm sure many of the companies I've worked for have looked at my profile but I would not be willing to give them my login information. I think employers should trust us enough not to bad mouth them on the internet.
Christina
Friday SM ITV
I have never had a prospective employer ask for my Facebook password. If I was asked to hand over my password for the job I would probably just delete all of the harmful content on there so I could make sure I still got the job, or just deactivate the account all together. I believe you should be able to have privacy for your activity online for social media because that is your business and what you do on your time outside of work is your own business.
Steven Waskow
I have not had any instance where an employer asked for my Facebook password. I would not consider taking a job if I had to hand over my Facebook password as I would be afraid that someone with the company could leak the password and I would lose control of the account to someone who could do bad things with it. I think people should have an expectation of privacy for their activity on social media networks but should try and be careful with all that they do one such networks considering the currect environment.
Steven Waskow
I have also not ever been asked for my password. One of my employers asked if they could look over my facebook right there on the spot so that I couldn’t change anything, but it was understandable since I was going to be nanny her two children. I don’t have a problem with employers asking to see your social media sites, if you are willing to put it out there then it should be okay for the public to see. Handing over your password is way stepping over the line, just allow them to see your profile and that should be good enough, that’s what the public sees anyways. Taking a job from someone that feels like they need that much power over you seems to be a little sketchy, I would definitely think twice.
Lauren Lanmon
T/H 12:30
I think that it's going too far if a potential employer asks for someone's password. I think that if they wanted to look at a potential employee's profile to ask for a LinkedIn page or to just look up the name on Facebook, so that way they can access enough information the person allows. Asking for a password is way too much information. That is something private, I personally don't even give my own password to a close relative, let alone a potential employer.
Catherine Arriaza-Ortiz
T-Th 12:30
I have never had a potential employer or anyone else ever ask for my social media passwords. It is unneccessary for them to see your inbox messages or anything else that is private on your personal cites. However, I strongly believe that people should be aware of what they post on their social media cites and maintain a professional profile for everyone to see. If you don't want people or employers to see something about you online then you should not post it for everyone to see. I feel that potential employers should have the right to search you on Facebook, Twitter, etc., but I do not think it is right for them to obtain your password.
Lindsey O'Neal
Media Law T/TH 12:30
Casey Willson
Media Law T/TH 12:30
I have never been asked to give my username/password to a potential employer, and I never would. I hope I never apply for a job that is so high strung that it would be normal to handover personal information like that. However, after I got to know my boss and co-workers, I'd have no problem adding them as a friend on Facebook. By giving my Facebook password to a future employer it doesn't only intrude on my right to privacy, but it also intrudes on all of my friends, whose profiles would now be visible to whomever logged into my account.
I am really good about keeping my facebook professional. I don't post pictures of me partying or talk about overly sensitive topics. I keep it generally PG. However, the issue for me is not about whether the content of my facebook is appropriate or not. What these companies are doing is such an invasion of privacy. It would be an extreme case that I would allow someone access to my account. I would more than likely pass on the job in that case.
Kristen Washington
T/TH 12:30
I have never had an employer ask for any of my social media passwords and I would probably never provide them. In this day in age, it is to be expected that potential employers will look over any public information I post on social media sites.
Knowing this, I do make sure to keep my Facebook appropriate. I am friends with my grandparents, so I base my decisions about the appropriateness of posts on what they might find distasteful.However, the sole purpose of my Facebook account is to connect with my friends and family, not the public. I think an employer has every right to look over my public information but what I do in my own time is my own business.
My Twitter account is public, so I do make sure to keep everything I post appropriate. I think Twitter is a good way for companies to learn a little about your personality.
I only see access to private social media information as a necessity for a very limited number of jobs. For example, something that requires a high-security clearance, or a position that works closely with a political candidate where social media could damage the employer.
T/TH 12:30 Sorry!
T/TH 1230P
I haven't dealt with this personally but if I encountered this situation with my future employer I think it would depend on my level of trust.
I think that its an invasion of privacy but on the other hand I think if you have nothing to hide then whats the problem? I guess that's what makes this topic controversial.
The best bet is to keep your social networks clean and think abut the impression it will leave on professional individuals like your future employer.
Andy Hernandez
Fri 11am
I also have never had an employer ask for any of my info from facebook. I have had some friends take certain info and pictures off of facebook so they wouldn’t deal with any drama from co-workers or bosses. I think if someone did ask for my info, i would humbly deny. I would say that my facebook account is my business and should stay separate with my work
I personally would not mind giving my password to my facebook account or any other social media I may have. I think it will let them know I am trustworthy and I don't have anything to hide.
Justine Vasquez
T/Th 1230
I know that employers have looked at my facebook, that is the main reason why I watch what I say on there. I will also delete comments that I do not think potential employers will like. With that being said I would never give an employer my password even though I have nothing to hide. I believe that is an invasion of privacy and would not allow it. That is one of the most ridiculous things I have heard lately it is one thing for them to check it but ask for your password is another. Employers are getting out of control.
As an avid social media user, I do understand why some social media users are losing sleep over this. I believe that the United States Supreme Court would deem the demanding of current and prospective employees to provide access to their facebook accounts a violation of the First Amendment and intrusion on privacy. Nonetheless, if my employer asked me to provide access, it wouldn’t personally concern me. I feel that as an employee one is representing in some shape or form their employer. The employee is an extension of the company. So I can definitely see why a company would have interest in gaining access to any social media accounts that their employees might have. However, I am the type of person that is already private and doesn’t share their entire life on my social media networks. In addition, I feel that if something would make me feel embarrassed or make me feel like I have to hide it, I wouldn’t do it or say it. It is as simple as that. I have never personally been asked by a potential employer for any of my social media account passwords, but if the day did come I wouldn’t have a problem doing so. I personally do have an expectation of privacy when it comes to my activity on social media networks, if not I wouldn’t use them, but the expectation of privacy I have is geared more toward the concern for my safety from and potential psychopaths and/or criminals.
Daisy Saenz
Invasion of privacy to the extreme!!No way!
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