Employers asking for Facebook passwords.

[N2IT]

More Employers Asking For Facebook, Social Media Passwords | News One

Might this become common practice?

I would of laughed and walked out personally. Actually I probably would of given it to her since my FB account is nothing more than a user id and password. No friends no pictures.

This is why I only maintain professional social media profiles.

[ptilsen]

No matter how incriminating or not incriminating my Facebook profile is, I will never give this information to any employer. If it was for a job that involved national security I would go into it knowing I had to give up privacy. Anything else? Forget it.

I'm pretty sure we had more or less this exact thread within the last month. I can't remember the title. I think the overwhelming conclusion was that most of us would not even friend our employers, much less give up a password.

[sys_teck]

FB has been doing it for a while. Whatever reason, I am glad I don't have Fb account. and i'm damn happy

[N2IT]

PT

I agree I think it's freaking stOOpid. I don't recall, but I hope the name of that company get's out, if for nothing more than public humiliation.

[SephStorm]

I think it is the stupidest thing ever. The reasoning behind it is unreasonably shallow. What if the employer doesnt have a FB, or says they dont, or hasnt used it since signing up? What has the company gained?

I can understand a legal requirement not to illegally blast the company (whatever the legal term is for such things). But they dont need to be your friend, and they dont need to know what is on there when you apply for a job. Can you do the job? Will you perform your job to the best of your abilities. Thats all I care about. If there is a problem later, then we can deal with it then. Next thing you know someone will not be hired because they are in an interracial relationship, or because they are ***, ect. And whos to say the reason they said no? They could act perfectly fine during the interview, and just tell the hiring manager you werent the person for the job.

Even with National Security positions, I doubt FB will be the only indicator of someones risk to NS.

[rwmidl]

I saw this on another forum, but someone said if they were to be asked for a FB/Twitter/Linkedin password, then the company should in due kind a)provide the said employee the passwords for the CEO, CIO, etc's FB/Twitter/Linkedin passwords (fair is fair, right) b) provide documentation that HR has also provided their passwords to whomever is asking for them.

Also, isn't sharing your password a violation of Facebooks TOS?

[N2IT]

Good point about the TOS.

[MrXpert]

Facebook in general imo is a waste of time. All it has done is create a need to chat for the sake of it. A need to send inane messages just for the sake of it. We started with the telephone, then onto txt messages, email, chatrooms, IM and now facebook. If facebook didn't exist imagine how much more productive people would be. Twitter is another waste of time (created for the masses to make computing easier for them) so if HR departments want to waste their time even further by not only now looking at other people's accounts as well as their own, then let them. I don't have either. Personally if I was the internet god i'd ban both facebook, twitter or any other social media site. This is off topic. Rant over.

[quinnyfly]

I also do not have or use a facebook account, being the internet security nut and knowing what an awsome exploit it is both for hackers and a clued-up boss to explore your business and social contacts, I wouldn't even consider giving anyone the opportunity to know your business, much less the potential to create an identity.

If I did have an account and my boss asked me for my password, I'd tell him to jam it!! Somethings are still private and confidential. I also believe that if any employer wants to know that much about your personal business, they have too much time on their hands.

I am sure certain countries, states etc, have laws against such behaviour anyway.

[N2IT]

I also do not have or use a facebook account, being the internet security nut and knowing what an awsome exploit it is both for hackers and a clued-up boss to explore your business and social contacts, I wouldn't even consider giving anyone the opportunity to know yor business, much less the potential to create an identity.

If I did have an account and my boss asked me for my passwork, I'd tell him to jam it!! Somethings are still private and confidential. I also believe that if any employer wants to know that much about your perosnal business, they have too much time on their hands.

I am sure certain countries, states etc, have laws against such behaviour anyway.

That's exactly why I use LinkedIn. It's been proven and most business professionals are now on it.

I take a risk (facebook account) and turn it into a opportunity (LinkedIn account). I'm hedging that they are going to be nosy and check me out.

If my name is googled you won't see my face on Facebook, but on LinkedIn there is a very good chance I will come up. Along with 35 recommendations all saying I am a great employee. I want them to google me and I want them to see what I bring to the table.

[rwmidl]

Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, TechExams...anything you put on the internet goes on your "permanent record". You just need to think twice about things you post (do you really need to post the picture of you doing the keg stand?). And also, if you don't have anything nice to say to someone, just don't say it at all.

[Zartanasaurus]

It's a small world after all example #5,512.

The Department of Justice regards it as a federal crime to enter a social networking site in violation of the terms of service, but during recent congressional testimony, the agency said such violations would not be prosecuted.

The reason it won't be prosecuted? Because they already tried and lost.

“It’s akin to requiring someone’s house keys,” said Orin Kerr, a George Washington University law professor and former federal prosecutor who calls it “an egregious privacy violation.”

The lawyer quoted in the beginning of the article was one of the lawyers who defended Lori Drew in the Facebook harassment case where the feds tried to prosecute her under a federal anti-hacking statute for signing up for a fake name on Facebook to harass some teenage girl who later committed suicide.

"Yeah we consider it a violation of federal law, but we won't prosecute it because ummm a judge ruled against us already".

[Novalith478]

Typical breach of privacy. Not only that, but kind of creepy.

Also: just because you did a kegstand at your friends Friday night party doesn't mean your a bad potential employee. What one does on one's own time (in a private location) is not the employer's business.

[rsutton]

Also: just because you did a kegstand at your friends Friday night party doesn't mean your a bad potential employee. What one does on one's own time (in a private location) is not the employer's business.

Agreed. I have no shame posting my keg stands online. Having fun is important to me, if an employer is not on the same page then I would be looking for a new job.

[powerfool]

This is ridiculous and is only happening because people let it (some because they are in desperate need of a job). Hopefully the economy picks up and people are willing to pass on a job if it means standing firm.

Personally, I don't have a Facebook account, so I don't know what they will say if I offer that up.

[N2IT]

PF

I think the Economy has picked up. I see a lot more jobs out there and noticed this guy said no. Employement is trending upwards in most states. (Not all)

[jibbajabba]

You: "Sure I can give you my password"
Employer: "Sorry, we can't give you the job as you are clearly a security risk and we have to fear finding our passwords on FB"
You: "D'oh"

Potential employer wouldn't even find me on FB anyway ....

[WafflesAndRootbeer]

My profile cannot be be found thanks to Facebook's settings so no employer can bug me about it to begin with as they simply won't ever find it.

[Plantwiz]

I was thinking was Jibbajabba posted. Depending on your job, it is a test to see how much of a security risk the candidate to private company data. It is possible the employer could say that because you have no regard for your personal privacy, you won't protect theirs.

I won't have a FB account and pretty certain I would not provide the information about if I did. They may ask. I have the right to refuse and we'd see what happened from that point. If they stated I couldn't have the job, then fine. They probably never wanted it in the first place and if they are asking, there is a fair chance they already have some dirt on you if there is dirt to be had.

[Forsaken_GA]

Some employers like to do the Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn search as a first qualifying run in order to save on having to perform a full background check (those cost money).

I don't blame them for trying, but disclosure as a condition of employment? Not going to happen.

I wouldn't be offended by a prospective employer asking to see my Facebook page. I'd decline, and if it was a deal breaker, that would be the end of it. I'd understand, but I wouldn't be mad at them.

If they actually had the balls to ask me for my logins, I'd immediately thank them for their time and end the process, as the company has just displayed a level of moral ambiguity that I'm not comfortable with.

[jibbajabba]

Some employers like to do the Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn search as a first qualifying run in order to save on having to perform a full background check (those cost money).

I doubt they do this "instead off". Probably most likely "as well as" .. Basic Background checks with Kroll start as low as $60 per candidate (dep. on the checks performed). If a company can't afford that and needs to use social networking as sole check, then you don't want to work there anyway as they probably can't even afford your salary

[it_consultant]

I am already uncomfortable with the amount of data they gather in the regular background check process in the first place. Has this happened to anyone here? I read that some state or city agency in the south did this but it has since stopped. I have also read that schools and police have bullied people into giving up their FB passwords (even though you are under no requirement to do so) but it remains very uncommon.

[cmitchell_00]

I wouldn't give up anything either and I would end the process right at the door. If any company wants my username/password before I'm hired I would tell them it's an security breach if I proceed with this matter. Then, If I'm hired at a company and they want my Facebook/LinkedIn/Twitter info I would tell them it's an security breach plus this is my personal life so, you go get a life. I feel if I'm not going to those sites on work equipment during work hours I don't have to share this personal space with my employer.

[Tackle]

Maybe them asking is just a test to see how easily you would give out a password? Lol. If you handed it right over, would you give out your employers information just as quickly? Shame on you!

I'm not worried about my Facebook. It does not matter what I do or post in my free time as long as it is not against policy, illegal, or changes how I perform at my job.

[Heero]

Honestly, I would just straight up say no, and then if they weren't willing to drop it and move on with the interview I would be walking right out the door. Oh, and just asking for it at all would alter my perception of the company negatively, which could affect whether or not I accept a job offer from them.