NEW YORK (AP) — Facebook is warning employers not to demand the passwords of job applicants, saying that it's an invasion of privacy that opens companies to legal liabilities.
The
social networking company is also threatening legal action against
those who violate its long-standing policy against sharing passwords.
An
Associated Press story this week documented cases of job applicants who
are being asked, at the interview table, to reveal their Facebook
passwords so their prospective employers can check their backgrounds.
In
a post on Friday, Facebook's chief privacy of policy officer cautioned
that if an employer discovers that a job applicant is a member of a
protected group, the employer may open itself up to claims of
discrimination if it doesn't hire that person.
"As
a user, you shouldn't be forced to share your private information and
communications just to get a job," wrote Erin Egan. "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 because that user is looking for a job."
Not
sharing passwords is a basic tenet of online conduct. Aside from the
privacy concerns, Facebook considers the practice a security risk.
Facebook
spokesman Andrew Noyes said that the company doesn't think employers
should be asking applicants for their passwords because "we don't think
it's the right thing to do."
"While we do not have any immediate plans to take legal action
against any specific employers, we look forward to engaging with
policymakers and other stakeholders, to help better safeguard the
privacy of our users," he said.
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Online: http://on.fb.me/GUtWT
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