A few days after the Associated Press investigated employers asking job seekers for Facebook passwords in order to perform background checks, the social networking giant has responded in a blog post. In the blog, Facebook starts by repeated its motto that ‘you should never have to share your password’. The company has also reserved the right to shut down your account if you seek others passwords, as stated in its Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, and also said that you may incur ‘legal liability’ by doing so.
Facebook explained, “If an employer sees on Facebook that someone is a member of a protected group (e.g. over a certain age, etc.) that employer may open themselves up to claims of discrimination if they don’t hire that person.”
So, asking for passwords is catch-22 situation for employers.
Facebook concluded by speaking on its commitment to defending its users:
“We’ll take action to protect the privacy and security of our users, whether by engaging policymakers or, where appropriate, by initiating legal action, including by shutting down applications that abuse their privileges.”
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal has also been taking action, revealing to Politico that he’s drafting a bill to restrict employers from soliciting passwords, for the same reason employers can not use polygraph tests on job seekers anymore.
