For Immediate Release
January 31, 2013
Contact: Angie Poss
(505) 720-5128
Social Media Privacy Act Introduced in NM State Senate
SANTA FE, NM –State Senator Jacob Candelaria (D-26– Albuquerque) introduced a bill that would prohibit potential employers from demanding social-media passwords from someone applying for a job. The bill, Senate Bill 371, does not impede an employer’s or company’s right to implement internet usage policies for its employees.
It is now illegal to coerce a potential employee or university applicant to reveal their social-media passwords in California, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan and New Jersey.
“The ‘population’ of Facebook, if it were a nation, would make it the third largest country in the world. The privacy of people with online networks is an issue that is garnering a lot of attention at the federal level,” Senator Candelaria said. “Protections for internet users should be put into place. Requiring job applicants to divulge their passwords in order to be considered for a job is wrong.”
Similar legislation is being considered in 15 other states.
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