Facebook is warning employers about demanding passwords. The social networking site is also threatening legal action over the demands. However, employment lawyers are saying that it’s not illegal to ask. Mind, giving over the password is a breach of Facebook’s terms of service. If job applicants have information in their profile that’s not available publicly that’s verboten to ask at an interview, the interviewer could also be violating employment laws. Of course, check your local laws. In Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec, such password requests are privacy violations. In Ontario, not so much.

–ScottD

I have a backlog of articles to get through, but this is starting to make the rounds.  More and more companies and government agencies are asking people they interview to hand over their Facebook user ID and password.  Others are asking interviewees to login during the interview so the company/government reps can look around the account.  With social media becoming a preferred way to keep in touch with others and companies getting aware, expect social media intrusion to increase.