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Thread: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

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    Veteran Member Autumn Lily's Avatar
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    Default Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/20...ops12_ST_N.htm

    I have a friend who's going through this right now for a public safety position and they not only asked for the information, but they also requested he not change his passwords until after the hiring/interview process.

    Here's my rant that I posted on my facebook about it:

    Asking for passwords for private info is straight up wrong. Asking for email passwords, facebook, yahoo, youtube, etc is seriously fucked up. It's one thing to investigate someone's digital footprint if the account is public. That's just like looking at info put up on a downtown bulletin. But requiring password information for private info that isn't available to the general public is like asking for the keys to your house, permission to go through your mail, and look through your family photo albums.

    Not to mention, let's say you give downtown permission to look through your facebook because you just REALLY WANT THAT JOB and will make any and all sacrifices necessary to obtain that job, including forking over passwords, opening up privacy, showing text messages, e-mail logs, yadda yadda.

    Your friends?? The ones who have privacy settings to "Friends only" just like you do??? Suddenly whoever's looking through your junk can now look at your friends' information. They might claim they don't, but I can't imagine an employer passing up the opportunity to see what your girlfriend/boyfriend/spouse/parents/siblings are like because hey, you share(d) a good portion of your life with them, right?

    My information is available to a select few for a reason. I don't like the idea of cleaning up my private digital footprint for an employer who really shouldn't give half a shit what I do off the clock so long as it's within legal bounds and I'm not wearing the company uniform, and I still come to work and perform my job to standard or above.

    If you apply for a job and feel the need to clean up your digital footprint, by all means go ahead, and good luck to you on getting the job. Seriously, good luck. I would not wish for any of my friends to not get the job they applied for.

    But ultimately, even if you clean up your page, your friends/family likely will not.

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    ^^^ well, those same employers want to go through your medical history, your criminal record, your credit rating etc. Passwords are merely a baby step on an already established path down the 'slippery slope'.

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    This is creepy but I've been looking for a job and employers are really treading illegal territory because they can. I've been asked for my medical history, I've been asked questions such as "are you planning to have kids soon" and "what's your age". I think it's scary that employers are asking for passwords because yes that is like an employer asking for your house key and coming into check your mail.

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    It's sad because in an economy like this, where jobs can be difficult to come buy, there are so many people willing to disclose such information because they think/know it will put them ahead in the race and make them more likely to get the job. It's not right, and it's sad that companies can take advantage of the situation like that.

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    This is a great example of why people sometimes don't, & often shouldn't, use their legal names online. I have regulars that are school teachers, & most friend me on FB by a different name than their legal one. Heaven forbid that they talk to a stripper... they'd probably be fired.
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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    Depends on the "Public Safety" job.

    Paramedic, firefighter, Dispatcher etc I think I would agree with you.

    However some positions need to be beyond reproach, such a CIA Intel analyst, Publi Defender, City (county, county, State) Accountant/Treasurer. Investigators of all types, even Evidence and Lab techs for Crime labs.

    Now I do think the passwords is a bit much, however disclosing the address to all your social media accounts is not.

    Sounds like one Investigating Authority is taking into account 21st Century reality.

    Were it me I would insist on opening the accounts myself on my own laptop, then let them view without recordable media.

    Really stretching the Fourth amendment on this one.

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    Never post anything online that you don't want the cops or your mother to see, is a pretty go rule-of-thumb.
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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    ^ there are a lot more privacy settings you can actually stop individuals from seeing stuff like that. Have a little play with your privacy settings. My mom for example can only see some of my albums, cannot see my tagged photos of me, and cannot see what others post on my wall. I wanted to stop her from seeing my status updates too but she is really nosy and would get annoyed haha.

    As for the employer thing... thats whack. I wouldnt work for a company like that personally. I know times are tough over there so people cant really pick and choose but I like to think what I do in my own time is none of my employers business. We have a pretty relaxed work force here in Australia though... heck here its pretty common in most offices to drink at the pub during lunch! With the boss! haha I found that so weird when I moved here.

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    Air Travel: It started with metal detectors, then shoes, then toothpaste, and now radiation boxes.

    Employment: It started with pee tests, then credit checks, then medical info, and now facebook.

    The slippery slope illustrated.

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    Scary... Though they do make a decent argument in the article, at least for Facebook. Not so much for email or text.

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    Quote Originally Posted by Kellydancer View Post
    This is creepy but I've been looking for a job and employers are really treading illegal territory because they can. I've been asked for my medical history, I've been asked questions such as "are you planning to have kids soon" and "what's your age". I think it's scary that employers are asking for passwords because yes that is like an employer asking for your house key and coming into check your mail.
    Hmmm....I'm not a big lawsuit person, but I recruit and hire...and our HR department really stresses that you can't ask things like "are you going to have kids soon" or "how old are you."

    Whoever asked you those questions is asking to be sued.

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Hyde View Post
    Hmmm....I'm not a big lawsuit person, but I recruit and hire...and our HR department really stresses that you can't ask things like "are you going to have kids soon" or "how old are you."

    Whoever asked you those questions is asking to be sued.
    Unfortunately with the economy I'm getting many questions like those. They know that people are practically begging for jobs so people will answer them.

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    Quote Originally Posted by Kellydancer View Post
    Unfortunately with the economy I'm getting many questions like those. They know that people are practically begging for jobs so people will answer them.
    In that case, feel free to lie your ass off. If they're so willing to break the law that you're being asked those questions, then you have no obligation to do something that will potentially hurt you in an interview.

    I'd say that I don't plan on having kids. As for age, I'd say "I'm in my thirties...what age are you looking to hire?"

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Hyde View Post
    In that case, feel free to lie your ass off. If they're so willing to break the law that you're being asked those questions, then you have no obligation to do something that will potentially hurt you in an interview.

    I'd say that I don't plan on having kids. As for age, I'd say "I'm in my thirties...what age are you looking to hire?"
    That's a great comeback, I'll have to remember that. I know when they've asked my age before I asked them what that had to do with anything. I generally tell employers I'm not having kids because I certainly am not in the next 1-2 years anyway.

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    maybe use that line in a less smart-ass way...like "I'm in my thirties...what's the ideal age for the position?"

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    ^Ive definitely been asked both questions.

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    I would NEVER EVER EVER get hired for a job that wanted access to all that info.
    Thank god I don't ever use my real name.

    Quote Originally Posted by fast tan77 View Post
    Never post anything online that you don't want the cops or your mother to see, is a pretty go rule-of-thumb.
    Reminds me of when my mom joined facebook a month or two back... and she was like "What's your facebook so I can add you as a friend!" and I had to say "Mommy, no. My facebook is really offensive... you don't want the rest of the family to be able to find me/want to add me."
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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    If someone were to ask me those questions I'd make fake accounts with alternated passwords simply to appease their stupid search. In reality I do not have a facebook/youtube/or twitter account. I wonder their response if I mentioned this.

    A lot of my bank accounts and credit card statements are linked to my email and there is no way in hell I'm giving that information to some random employer. That is no longer a matter of screening potential employees but a potentially threatening identity fraud case.

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    Air Travel: It started with metal detectors, then shoes, then toothpaste, and now radiation boxes.

    Employment: It started with pee tests, then credit checks, then medical info, and now facebook.

    The slippery slope illustrated.
    Indeed, 225 years ago 'don't tread on me' sparked British subject American 'colonists' to revolt. Today 'don't touch my junk' prompts what reaction ? A viral video in alternative media and spotty reporting by mainstream news media ... plus a potential $10,000 fine for the guy who made the statement ( for starting a security check procedure but leaving without completing it ) !


    The obvious point here is that the slippery slope has already gone so far downhill that there really isn't any realistic way to reverse the trend. America has now reached the point where 'security' concerns now take precedence over personal freedoms. Thus Americans who choose to exercise their right against 'unreasonable search' by TSA can indeed exercise that right as long as they give up the privelege of flying. Similarly, Americans who choose to exercise their right against 'unreasonable search' by a prospective employer can indeed exercise that right as long as they give up the privelege of being considered for a job. Both can make the claim that NOT evaluating potential risk factors that a particular passenger / worker might bring into a certain setting for which the TSA / employer is responsible potentially places other passengers / workers at risk.

    Tying both points together, it's 'reassuring' to know that American residents also have the right to apply for social welfare benefits WITHOUT any such background check ( or a citizenship check for that matter ).


    If someone were to ask me those questions I'd make fake accounts with alternated passwords simply to appease their stupid search.
    That is certainly your right. However, it is also the right of the prospective employer to fire you for providing 'false information' on the job application, even after you have been hired and started work.


    This will probably draw flak, but has anybody noticed that - in terms of both the economy and personal freedoms - things in the USA are beginning to look more and more like 1930's Weimar Germany ?

    ~
    Last edited by Melonie; 11-17-2010 at 03:48 AM.

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    Quote Originally Posted by NREXM View Post
    If someone were to ask me those questions I'd make fake accounts with alternated passwords simply to appease their stupid search. In reality I do not have a facebook/youtube/or twitter account. I wonder their response if I mentioned this.

    A lot of my bank accounts and credit card statements are linked to my email and there is no way in hell I'm giving that information to some random employer. That is no longer a matter of screening potential employees but a potentially threatening identity fraud case.
    If I were looking for a job, I'd deactivate all my social media accounts.

    If someone wanted my email password and I felt that I'd have to give it to them to get the job, I'd give them the pass to the generic email account that I use when I sign up for websites that I know will send me spam.

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    Quote Originally Posted by Melonie View Post
    That is certainly your right. However, it is also the right of the prospective employer to fire you for providing 'false information' on the job application, even after you have been hired and started work.
    I'd like to see that legal battle... Fired for lieing about information that the Employer can't legally ask for in the first place.

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    Yeah. This is really bad. I hope they put and end to this dumb shit soon. And another reason why I have two accounts. My "real" account I almost never say anything on. It has my family and a few friends. The other account is where I can be myself.

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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    My password: fuckyoukissmyassnosymotherfuckers
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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    well this is ridiculous.

    i agree with mr hyde- this is a lawsuit waiting to happen. especially asking if they want kids. honestly, in this economy, why dont these people so desperate for a job sue the company to make fast cash instead?

    i find it slightly comical that its for cops though. IMO, this is a taste of their own medicine. cops love to try to search your stuff without probable cause and if you let them they will and they will use what they find against you... and sometimes even if you try not to let them and bring up the whole lack of probable cause thing they will... or bring out the k-9s to try to find a probable cause. this is just the online version of invasion of privacy. not especially out of character for them.
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    customer: hmm... nah actually i will take the shotgun marriage. At least then we would be having sex.


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    Default Re: Employers ask Applicants to provide Passwords to Facebook, e-mail, youtube, etc

    Going out for a very serious job right now. Being sure I lock ALL my stuff down so that no one can look me up. Effing terrifying. My current employer told me that she had checked my facebook page before she interviewed me (thankfully most of my settings is on private), but I almost didn`t get the interview because of my BOYFRIEND! She was able to click on his name, and was worried because `Hmmm this girl is in a relationship with someone that likes a band called `Sodomize Christ` Well that`s strange I don`t know about that... ` or something like that. I mean come ON. He likes metal music, metal bands ALL have crazy ass band names. And she was also concerned because under my Likes I have a group on piercings and tattoos and she was all worried that I would be modified up the ass. I mean come ON. Just because someone LIKES something doesn`t mean they have it in extremes! I LOVE Christian Louboutin shoes, I would Like every CL facebook page under the sun, but guess what, I DON`T OWN A SINGLE PAIR! This whole checking up on people thing is OUT OF CONTROL! I almost DIDN`T GET A JOB because SHE WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE KIND OF MUSIC MY DAMN BOYFRIEND LIKES!!!

    I was pissed. It`s just taking things so far...

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