City asks job applicants for Internet passwords

[dreamdoll]

Wow, no way!

[GirlFriday]

I would refuse also. I don't really have anything that private, I would just refuse on principle.

[HauteMama]

Originally Posted by Roo

Exactly. Reason # 47820754 not to have a myspace or facebook page.

Absolutely. Many employers were looking people up on networking sites anyway; at least this employer is being up-front about it. If people post idiotic things and photos online, they need to expect that others will see it, whether they provide them access or not. Privacy can never be assumed online.

[envyme]

Many people have their profiles set to PRIVATE, where only select individuals may see their information. The city is trying to get around that by getting access via their password. The city is also trying to get applicants to add them as "friends", so that they can be privy to private information.

The entire thing is ridiculous!!

Originally Posted by HauteMama

Absolutely. Many employers were looking people up on networking sites anyway; at least this employer is being up-front about it. If people post idiotic things and photos online, they need to expect that others will see it, whether they provide them access or not. Privacy can never be assumed online.

[LouisLady]

Sounds like to me whoever is doing the "investigating" would have a very fun job.

I wouldnt give it. sheesh.

[SaraLuvsPurses]

WOW WOW WOW im speechless...

[macska]

Wow ... silliest thing I've heard in a while ... so does that mean they would not have a problem with employees sharing their city username and password with those who ask?

[DivineMissM]

I would expect a potential employer to look up that info. I wouldn't expect them to ask for a password, though. I don't understand why they need that.

[Aslan]

Originally Posted by envyme

Many people have their profiles set to PRIVATE, where only select individuals may see their information. The city is trying to get around that by getting access via their password. The city is also trying to get applicants to add them as "friends", so that they can be privy to private information. The entire thing is ridiculous!!

Exactly! Facebook has multi-layered privacy settings (for example, you can make your profile/search result entirely non-searchable to people that are not your friends, so potential employers wouldn't even be able to tell you have a facebook page) and the city is desperately trying to circumvent them. They state this is voluntary, but that's ridiculous!

[kate83675]

It may be billed as "voluntary" but my first thought is that you would be penalized if you don't cough up everything since there's always going to be someone who does give what is asked for.

How could it possibly be of use to know what I have to say on the the EpiForum or Garden Web for heaven's sake??? Because it does say all forums also.

[Roo]

Originally Posted by Aslan

Exactly! Facebook has multi-layered privacy settings (for example, you can make your profile/search result entirely non-searchable to people that are not your friends, so potential employers wouldn't even be able to tell you have a facebook page) and the city is desperately trying to circumvent them. They state this is voluntary, but that's ridiculous!

There are holes in facebook, though.

You can have your profile set to private, but if your friends do not, then you can still be found that way. There is no such thing as 100% privacy online.

[Aslan]

Originally Posted by Roo

You can have your profile set to private, but if your friends do not, then you can still be found that way.

You can private your profile and not have anyone who's not your friend be unable to see your listing. The latter setting is under "Search Privacy." If you have your Search Privacy limited to friends, when other people look under your friend's 'friend list' they won't be able to see you.

[Roo]

Originally Posted by Aslan

You can private your profile and not have anyone who's not your friend be unable to see your listing. The latter setting is under "Search Privacy." If you have your Search Privacy limited to friends, when other people look under your friend's 'friend list' they won't be able to see you.

There are exploits around that, though.

Trust me on this.

[Aslan]

Originally Posted by Roo

There are exploits around that, though. Trust me on this.

I think that there are not, and that's why they are asking for people's passwords in order to bypass these settings. Users are a lot more savvy these days and are taking advantage of these privacy settings. Facebook is growing much faster than Myspace, and I think it's in part due to the fact Fb offers varied and layered privacy settings, whereas Myspace only offers one.

[Roo]

Originally Posted by Aslan

I think that there are not, and that's why they are asking for people's passwords in order to bypass these settings. Users are a lot more savvy these days and are taking advantage of these privacy settings. Facebook is growing much faster than Myspace, and I think it's in part due to the fact Fb offers varied and layered privacy settings, whereas Myspace only offers one.

Not true, sorry to say, aslan. I won't post the specifics here, but there are hacks/exploits to all these sites.

The reason they are asking for passwords is because by giving them, the user of the account is essentially giving permission for the City of Bozeman to access their personal info, therefore releasing the City from any liability for action they take based on what they might find.