I'm actually surprised this hasn't happened sooner. A number of organizations -- in this case, a state prison system and several colleges and universities -- are asking applicants for access to their Facebook (Nasdaq: FB) pages. For some, the willingness to do so is a condition for being accepted or hired.
In the US, a number of constitutional amendments are being applied to these situations, but I am not equipped to argue law. What I can say with relative certainty is that these cases will affect how individuals and businesses use social media. Whether it is positive or negative depends on your point of view.
The litmus test I use in using Facebook -- in addition to "Is this something you want your mother to read?" -- is how I am using it relative to other ways of communicating with friends, family, and colleagues. Before Facebook, it was the good old US Mail (or FedEx or UPS or DHL, which have options that ensure delivery and privacy). Everyone knows it is a felony to interfere with or open anybody's personal mail. Entire sitcom episodes have been built on this premise. You have a certain expectation of privacy. If I send a letter to my best friend complaining about something, the only way it would get out would be for my friend to tell someone else or for the mail to get diverted. There would be legal remedies for this, and, frankly, diverting mail is a real pain in the neck unless you really want to torpedo someone.
I see Facebook as being comparable to posting something in a public place, like one of those "post no bills" sites in Manhattan. If my complaint to my best friend circulates, I have nobody to blame but myself. End of story.
So why would I do such a thing? I wouldn't. And I hope a whole lot of sane people out there wouldn't, either. So I am going to continue to be very, very careful about what I tweet, post, share, update, and +1. I will limit my use of social media depending on my circle -- business acquaintances on one network, friends and family on another.
There is not going to be a free-for-all sharing of everything at any time and anywhere. This limits the intent of social media. Frankly, I think Facebook is going to come out swinging in response to requests like these. The ACLU already has, and they happen to violate Facebook's user agreement.
For all those businesses looking for ways to harness social media, I'd consider this a damper. Let's take a supply chain example. Say I'm a buyer at an OEM, and I realize that I dropped the ball by failing to order a component for a kit that is going to ship to the factory floor any minute. I could pick up the phone and plead for mercy from my management or suppliers. I could tweet some individuals I know in the industry. I could change my status on Facebook to "help!" I could send out some carefully worded emails or a few RFQs. What is the quickest way to reach the most people? Facebook. But do I want to admit for all to see that I messed up and am trying to circumvent my company's AVL? I don't think so.
Suppose one of my acquaintances retweeted my tweet to somebody with those parts. Now suppose that somebody worked for my closest competitor, whose CEO was in the same Rotary Club as my CEO. Don't laugh -- I have experienced a similar situation, and it was really, really ugly.
From a positive standpoint, this practice implies that prospective employers could uncover all kinds of nasty things about their applicants. As a parent and a taxpayer, I support this to some extent. As an individual, I don't. As a business… well, how many times have you forwarded an email that says "This is a private correspondence between sender and recipient"?
The cloud and any number of data-sharing technologies are constantly being tested for security and privacy. There are technologies out there that can guarantee the safety of data transfer to a great extent. But until there is an app for "stupid," I am going to keep my business, and my company's business, to myself. Will I share my Facebook password? As long as I have no reason not to, the answer is yes.
That sounds exactly like what I was thinking. Sadly, this is a young person facing this issue. Just imagine the ramifications when adults are forced up the same flagpole??
@pocharles Absolutely. In the discussion surrounding the 12 year-old girls whose school is demanding access to her FB password http://www.allfacebook.com/school-makes-12-year-old-surrender-facebook-password-2012-03 many of the comments worry that is a slippery slope that would lead to the possibility of employers making such demands. They seem to assume that no one would find the prospect acceptable.
Well yes. Those items make some sort of sense to the employer wanting to protect their image and brand. But social content?? I guess you could see how it might factor in but when does your personal life end when it comes to employers demands?? That's where the slippery slope begins.
@Susan I agree. You have to realize that anything you post may get beyond your restricted circle. Sometimes there are major consequnces as in the case of the teacher whose career nearly came to an end due to Facebook posts.
That brings us to square one: if you want to keep something private, keep it for yourself. Or if she wanted to share her condition so badly with a selected group of people there is always the email option, and phone calls, and even going for coffee if they are in the same city.
@Susan she may have it set on some privacy. But that doesn't mean the information can't be found once it's out there. Some services specialize in finding personal information that can be gleaned from Facebook posts and phots, even the ones that people believe are private. For a small fee, the services will allow people to see the information, supposedly for the sake of individuals who want to become more aware of what can be seen about them online. So if someone has a condition that one wishes to keep private, it is a very bad idea to bring it up many times in supposed confidence to a circle of several hundred friends.
What about people who don't post anything about religion or/and politics? Or what about those who don't have any religious or political views or preferences?
And wouldn't it be easier to ask about such topics during an interview instead of sneaking into someone's Facebook profile? In the case of a church or a religious organization, as you mentioned, wouldn't it be offensive, and against all the high values of truth and honesty to do such a thing? I believe it would. What do you think?
This whole topic is an ethical issue, and people don't seem to see it clearly.
"She asked if she can hide this information from a prospective employer, and I was wondering how she hopes to get away with that when she posted it on FB."
Yes, she can hide that information from the public view and make it available only for the people she wants. There is an option for this. If she posted the information time ago and worries now about it, she can go back in her timeline and hide that piece of information.
I certainly agree with you JADEN, If I am in such a situation whereby i have to release my FB password, i will do that because my FB does not contain stuffs that can be of harm to anybody
Yes, I also agree that too much sharing is going on in social media. However, all this topic is not an easy issue. If I were to hire a person, and checking his/her Facebook profile I notice a drinking habit that includes weekdays, I would consider the application twice, and most likely I would prefer someone who doesn't have a heavy drinking habit, instead.
Now, doesn't this puts me in a judgemental position, and maybe this person's drinking habit doesn't affect his/her professional performance in the company? Where do you draw the line?
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Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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