In recent months, considerable attention has been paid to the privacy problems posed by schools and employers asking job candidates and other consumers for the login details to their social networking pages, and several states have moved to stop this practice.
The latest to do so is New Jersey, where the state Senate advanced a bill that makes it illegal for employers to ask potential hires for Facebook and other social media passwords, according to a report from
New Jersey Today. Specifically, the bill also prohibits the use of discrimination or retaliation related to this issue, and imposes an initial fine of $1,000 for the first infraction, and a penalty of $2,500 for all subsequent violations.
"Job seekers have the right and freedom to use their private online accounts without fear of privacy invasions or discrimination," said Republican state Sen. Kevin O'Toole, according to the site. "They should not be disqualified, threatened or in fear for denying an interviewer access to their photo albums, political affiliations, religious practices, sexual preferences and communications with family and friends."
Eduard Goodman, chief privacy officer for
IDentity Theft 911, writes often about the privacy issues consumers face in their everyday lives.
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