Coakley-Rivera proposing bill to protect social media privacy

WWLP TV

Updated: Feb 7, 2013 4:59 PM

BOSTON (WWLP) — Some employers are asking for Facebook usernames and passwords during job interviews, but one Springfield lawmaker is hoping to put a stop to that.

Representative Cheryl Coakley-Rivera says that in addition to looking for social media passwords, employers are also requesting job applicants to friend them on Facebook, or approve connections to them on other social media sites. That way, they can access their personal account information.

This allows employers to use personal and confidential information to make hiring decisions.

The Democrat has filed legislation that prohibits employers from requesting personal login information or other access to personal accounts.

“There are private pictures and writings and communications in all these accounts and that should remain private,” Coakley-Rivera said.

The bill does not prohibit employers from accessing information about a job applicant if it is found on a public profile.

Six states across the country have already passed similar legislation.

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