Speaking about his new bill, Perimutter explains:
“People have an expectation of privacy when using social media like Facebook and Twitter. They have an expectation that their right to free speech and religion will be respected when they use social media outlets.”
Perimutter continues:
“Without this protection, employers essentially can act as imposters and assume the identity of an employee and continually access, monitor and even manipulate an employee’s personal social activities and opinions.”
The Password Protection Act joins various other online privacy bills that have been submitted for approval by lawmakers throughout the United States.
Public outrage against the password requests made by employers boiled over in late 2012 when an Associated Press report exposed the practice. While the AP story didn’t predict how often the password requests occur, there have apparently been enough complaints to result in governmental action being taken.
Have you ever been fired or lost out on a job following an interview because you refused to give the employer access to Facebook, Twitter, or other personal social media accounts?
