Sheriff wants applicants’ Facebook passwords

I'm not sure we've heard from the working background investigators (but I don't know).

To me, the "password" thing is beside the point--I do not think it's right for employers to ask you to let them look (i.e. you enter the password, they get to look). Social media sites such as Google+ and Facebook are allowing greater control over what appears to the general public (i.e. people not on your "friends" lists). For those people utilizing that greater control, sometimes nothing at all shows on the wall if it wasn't specifically shared with you. That's why I use the analogy of the private gathering in your home.

Potential Employer: "May we sit in on your private gathering and listen, watch, record, take notes, pictures, etcetera?"

Me: "Not just 'No.', but ...." well you know the rest. :)

Potential Employer: "NEXT!"

That's why we need clarification--either with new legislation, a statement by the SCOTUS, or something...

I know you can report to FB if someone is impersonating you. I've had to do that 2x's now. One out of Traverse City, Michigan, and one out of someplace in the LA area. I've set up my password to FB that there is no way anybody could guess it.

From the way I've heard background investigators talk, nothing is off limits to them. They need to walk that back a bit, IMO.

In my background ck for the security company I'm working for now they even wanted the names of my adult children! They asked what social networks I belong to. Wish I'd remembered PL. Seems like there's no privacy anymore. Does anyone know if this violates any of our constitutional rights by asking for our passwords to our social networking sites?

Yup--this is just like a walk through your private quarters.

"Can we sit here and listen to you and your friends' private conversations?"

Why, sure--let me see your warrant.

Keep it clean and no problem. I don't use profanity nor knock an employer. I once showed a pic with some cleveage however.

What the Chiefs or upper brass's password???? Who do they give it??? People have a right to some privacy....As long as they are not posting department business what difference does it make???? I guess they do it this way so they stay on the legal side of entering someones account...