Comments on: Facebook: No “immediate plans” for password legal action

By: Douglas

Douglas — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 14:40:00 +0000

That’s a great question. I’d love to hear an official statement. This type of complication may be why they’re stating they won’t be threatening legal action at this time as well: they realized tehy could be biting the hands (some of them anyway) that feed them.

Crappy situation all around.

By: TyroneJ

TyroneJ — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:00:00 +0000

The real test for Facebook is whether they will cancel the Facebook accounts of the companies that engage in this behavior. Many companies and organizations have Facebook accounts for marketing purposes. Facebook makes a lot of money off these accounts, especially ones belonging to large companies. (e.g. Look up MacDonald’s Facebook account for an example.)

The real question is:
If Facebook finds one of these companies engaging in the practice of demanding login credentials from their employees or interviewees, will Facebook take those companies marketing accounts away?

By: freonpsandoz

freonpsandoz — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 10:02:00 +0000

Most importantly, the new rule makes it possible for an employee who is asked by his employer for Facebook login credentials to simply say, “Sorry, my user agreement with Facebook prohibits me from doing that.”

By: dauqhx

dauqhx — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 09:00:00 +0000

An employer using a fraudulently acquired account name and password (when the ToS explicitly prohibits using someone else’s information to access restricted portions of a site) would fall afoul of the same laws that criminalize unauthorized access to computer systems which are commonly used to prosecute computer hackers.

Also I don’t know how you figure out that only individuals have to obey Licensing and Terms of Service agreements when they use software products or services. Trust me, companies are not immune to being sued for breach of contract or other violations.

By: CHOPPERGIRL

CHOPPERGIRL — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 08:22:00 +0000

Don’t ever give your passwords to anybody… period. If any employer asks you such a thing, look at them like they are insane and out of their mind… because they are… and FLAT OUT SAY “NO” or “NO THANK YOU” (to their request). If they persist, demand all of their passwords first; then refuse to give your passwords. If they want your Facebook password they are probably a rapist and want to stalk every aspect of your life… and make it a point to tell them thats the real reason they want your password… and not because of the lies they are feeding you.

Remember, you have the same right to investigate potential employers as they do you… including… drug screens, credit checks, background checks, and the like. Request these from them during the interview, and if they don’t have them on file, ask them, “why not?” If they don’t, do your own independent investigation, or move on to a more reputable employer. After all, if your boss was using illegal drugs, had a highly contagious disease, or were an ex-con on the lose, your safety would be at risk. Assume they are lying from the get go and that they have something to hide. Most corporations and governmental agencies operate in a wholly criminal matter. If you find any particularly damning evidence of misconduct, bring this up during salary negotiations to strengthen your position and negotiate for a higher salary (think Lester Burnham from the movie “American Beauty”).

In short, grow a spine, people. If you can’t say no to an obscenely and blatantly absurd request to a private, personal account you have on the internet that is absolutely none of their business, then you probably have no spine to do salary negotiations either, and have no business being at the job interview in the first place. Toughen yourself up to saying no to people, do some more prep work in your head, and come back when you’re more ready for battle.

By: Matthew King

Matthew King — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 08:07:00 +0000

Let’s be clear – this doesn’t stop employers asking for your login details. They aren’t a party to YOUR user agreement with Facebook, and can’t be bound by it under contract law. The only way they can possibly be pursued under this rule is if you can prove that the employer is an individual and has therefore violated the terms of their own user agreement with Facebook. Since the objective of the employer is to login to Facebook as you, it is also difficult to see how Facebook would be able to prove such a case against a third party. It would be interesting though to see whether a case could be won in Europe on the grounds of human rights – specifically the right to a private life.

But this is primarily a scare tactic and nothing more. The correct response to an employer asking for your details is to tell them where to go. If they do that to applicants imagine what working there would be like. Quite simply no one in their right mind would agree to this.

By: Dan107

Dan107 — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 07:43:00 +0000

Good idea, and you could easily do that now, with or without Facebook permission. I just feel that any employer that would invade your privacy isn’t worth working for and I would refuse. I know they don’t care, but I’m a vindictive MF and will ruin their day.

By: Tom94304

Tom94304 — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 07:12:00 +0000

Facebook should allow you to easily setup a second “for work only” facebook account if they won’t take strong action against employers asking for your password. Or better still – stop using Facebook.