Job seekers are reporting that they’re being asked to give potential employers their Facebook login and password information. Anna Kooiman reported that critics are comparing this startling trend to someone asking for the keys to your house or reading your personal diary.

Is It Legal? Employers Ask Job Applicants for Social Media Login Information | Fox News Insider

We covered the story here about the guy who was arrested for comments he made on facebook, which I think most people accepted was, in principle, acceptable. Though in the highlighted case I didn't think the comment warranted the action it got.

There is also a story in the US at the moment if a similar ilk, where a Marine Sargent is facing discharge for criticising President Obama in facebook.

This story, however, is of an entirely different nature. While the economies of our respective countries are limping at the moment and unemployment is reaching far beyond crisis point with the inevitable desperation for a job amongst the unemployed I think this practice is absolutely deplorable. It's not a matter of "if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear" it's a matter of invasion of privacy.

Thankfully, from the comments in the article, it seems to be receiving the condemnation it deserves.

Once they ask for my Politics.ie password...that's when shít will hit the fan!

Originally Posted by ruserious

Once they ask for my Politics.ie password...that's when shít will hit the fan!

Once you're old enough to get a job.

Surely something like this is illegal?

Just another reason to give facebook a wide berth.

Originally Posted by CookieMonster

Once you're old enough to get a job.

Junno, the joke is getting old.

The marine is a totally different story, by his own admission he said he wrote that he wouldn't follow an order issued by Obama. So yeah, you get rid of that guy.

In principle, it's an invasion of privacy and I can't see it surviving long. Note though that no company's actually been named, this could just be attention seeking by folks.

You certainly couldn't do it in Europe. When I interview people I can't even ask how old they are during the process, of course I can't see their personal information in Facebook.

Would you give them your email details, same thing ? Unless your one of the complete fools who think the whole world wants to know what your doing 24-7 with pictures to boot, and i wouldn't give them a job either.

I dont have a facebook account, so I guess they will figure that im lieing?

Originally Posted by ruserious

Junno, the joke is getting old.

Shame you're not!


*ZING*