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Sunday, April 1, 2012

Your FB password probably safe from bosses - Gaston Gazette

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Your FB password probably safe from bosses - Gaston Gazette
Apr 1st 2012, 11:18

The latest Facebook fracas has its roots in news reports about an employer who wanted passwords and login information from prospective workers.

The company in question wasn't named in the original Associated Press story and, judging, from the dozens of employers who weighed in from Gas-ton County offices it isn't a widespread request.

Still, public reaction to the idea of trading Facebook privacy for a job was swift — and sure.

Jobless and job holders alike cursed the idea.

In an online Gazette poll, 202 people said they would refuse to hand over their sensitive login information, as opposed to 16 who said they would do so.

Politicians seized on the issue.

U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, who represents parts of Gaston County along with Cleveland and Lincoln, drafted a bill that would ban employers from asking for Facebook passwords.

The American Civil Liberties Union took a swipe at the Virginia State Police, asking the agency's superintendent to cease and desist. The ACLU report-edly said the practice was a possible violation of federal law, the First Amendment protection on free speech and the constitutional prohibition of unreasonable search and seizure.

Facebook even got in on the discussion, basically telling users to thumb their noses at any employer who asked for a Facebook login.

An excerpt from the social media company's blog:

"As a user, you shouldn't be forced to share your private information and communications just to get a job. And as the friend of a user, you shouldn't have to worry that your private information or communications will be revealed to someone you don't know and didn't intend to share with just be-cause that user is looking for a job. That's why we've made it a violation of Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities to share or solicit a Facebook password."

So it's fair to say lots of folks have gotten worked up over the idea.

But in Gaston County, employers willing to ask for a Facebook password are few.

An informal Gazette poll found one: Gaston County Police, an agency for which finalists take polygraph tests, agree to have their medical records seen and answer detailed questionnaires heavy on private information.

Other county employees aren't required to turn over their passwords or user names, according to officials.

Many managers and business owners were reluctant even to have their companies mentioned in conjunction with the one-sided fight over employers asking for Facebook logins.

Most were surprised to be asked.

"We just don't go there," said Jerry Green, who manages the J.C. Penney store in Gastonia.

"We feel like that's an associate's business, not ours."

He knows several of the department store's employees have Facebook accounts and talk of "friending" one another.

But he says the local shop has never seen any problem as a result.

Nor does he know of any problems at other stores in the multi-state chain.

Facebook prying isn't likely to happen at Freightliner either, said Scott McAllister, president of the United Auto Workers chapter at the Gastonia plant.

"I'm sure the UAW, not to mention the AFL-CIO would disagree with that, too," he said.

McAllister doesn't doubt employees might get online and have something bad to say about their bosses or the companies that cut them paychecks.

But he can't understand why an employer should concern himself or herself over anything so petty.

Angie Townsend with PSNC was resolute about the company's position on asking for private Facebook account information.

"I can tell you for sure nothing like that has ever been a practice as far as PSNC hiring practices are concerned," she said.

Townsend added that PSNC hasn't had issues with employees posting anything inappropriate on social media sites.

And she doesn't think anyone is in a hurry to be among the first private employers to start snooping.

"It sounds like there are some legal questions that need to play out before businesses would consider putting that into place," she said.

"And I don't know who wants to be the business that tests that out."

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