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Roo · Jun 19th, 2009, 03:58 PM

http://www.king5.com/business/storie...M.64fbcc1.html

City asks applicants for Internet passwords

08:30 AM PDT on Friday, June 19, 2009

Associated Press

HELENA, Mont. - Job applicants with the city of Bozeman are finding that their private Internet discussions and pictures may not be so private after all.

The city is asking job seekers for the user names and passwords to Internet social networking or Web groups they belong to. The decision is sparking an outcry from those who say the policy goes way too far.

The issue has spawned hundreds of comments on Web forums and sharp criticism from legislators and the ACLU.

"I liken it to them saying they want to look at your love letters and your family photos," said Amy Cannata, with the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana. "I think this policy certainly crosses the privacy line."

The city argues that it only uses the information to verify application information -- and says it won't hold it against anyone for refusing to provide it. City officials say such checks can be useful, especially when hiring police officers and others in a position of public trust.

Bozeman officials have been hammered with e-mails and phone calls ever since KBZK-TV of Bozeman reported the policy on Wednesday, including an excerpt from the city application form that states "Please list any and all current personal or business Web sites, web pages or memberships on any Internet-based chat rooms, social clubs or forums, to include, but not limited to: Facebook, Google, Yahoo, YouTube.com, MySpace, etc."

Bozeman City Commissioner Jeff Rupp said he was unaware city officers had implemented the policy, and expects the city commission will be talking about it. But Rupp said it is not as bad as it sounds since applicants are not scored negatively for refusing to answer the question.

"I can tell you I would not provide it in an application I submit," Rupp said. "I have been told repeatedly it is not scored, and the application is not discarded if not provided."

Rep. Brady Wiseman, a Bozeman Democrat, led the state's fight against the Patriot Act when the Legislature issued a harsh critique of the federal act, arguing it trampled civil liberties and put the government into a position of snooping on citizens.

Wiseman said Bozeman now is going too far.

"Asking for passwords is over the line," Wiseman said. "I think that this notion opens up a whole new line of debate on privacy."

The intense pressure generated in just a couple days is hitting the city hard.

Bozeman City Attorney Greg Sullivan told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle Thursday that the city may look at changing the policy so that they could view an applicant's social networking sites without asking for login information. One option would be to have an applicant add the city as a "friend" on such sites as Facebook.

"We've already began that discussion," Sullivan said.

Cannata, with the ACLU, said her organization has not found another government body that asks for such information. And even though the ACLU has not done a full legal analysis, she said the Bozeman policy doesn't pass the smell test.

"It's one thing, and I think totally reasonable, if someone has a public profile to go check it out," Cannata said.

But private groups and profile could reveal information employers could not legally base hiring decisions on, such as a person's religion, she added.

"Are they going to go in and look at those things?" Cannata said. "And even if they don't intend to look at those things, it's still there for them to see."

bagaholic85 · Jun 19th, 2009, 04:02 PM

asking for passwords is ridiculous. where do they come off even letting it get to the point where theyre ACTUALLY requesting it. it shouldve been squashed as soon as the moron who suggested it opened his or her mouth

Bella · Jun 19th, 2009, 04:03 PM

You've got to be kidding!

You know what.. I'm laughing. I'm just not surprised.

BagAngel · Jun 19th, 2009, 04:56 PM

That is totalyl crazy, they wouldn't get mine!

envyme · Jun 19th, 2009, 06:32 PM

This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard!! WTF!!! I thought this was 2009, not 1984. Talk about invasion of privacy! I'm stunned.

Bella · Jun 19th, 2009, 07:11 PM

^If you ask my SO, he'll tell you there's no such thing anymore.

twin53 · Jun 19th, 2009, 07:39 PM

that is insane.

leothelnss · Jun 19th, 2009, 09:09 PM

That is crazy and way out of line.
I'd apply elsewhere

Roo · Jun 19th, 2009, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by Bella

^If you ask my SO, he'll tell you there's no such thing anymore.

Exactly.

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

.:Sprigged:. · Jun 19th, 2009, 10:33 PM

Insane...do they want to read my diary too??

LV-PRADAfanatic · Jun 19th, 2009, 11:24 PM

no way.... i owuld not do it

coachmommyofmin · Jun 20th, 2009, 03:36 PM

next thing they're gonna ask for is to put a camera into your bedroom to "make sure you don't do anything unusual in bed" ...

stupidest idea i've ever heard, passwords. Yeah right!

Panda1 · Jun 20th, 2009, 03:44 PM

Ridiculous. Everyone knows they can say it doesn't adversely affect the applicants if they don't provide the information. Truthfully, it does. Like when you say "I refuse to answer", they automatically assume the worst. Why would they need to look at someone's My Space page anyways????

Sweetpea83 · Jun 20th, 2009, 04:03 PM

Isn't it a violation of privacy under law??

Longchamp · Jun 20th, 2009, 09:50 PM

No , as it sounds like it's voluntary, you can refuse!!

Jun 19th, 2009, 03:58 PM	#1
Roo OP au courant Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Rue Roo Posts: 12,716	City asks job applicants for Internet passwords http://www.king5.com/business/storie...M.64fbcc1.html City asks applicants for Internet passwords 08:30 AM PDT on Friday, June 19, 2009 Associated Press HELENA, Mont. - Job applicants with the city of Bozeman are finding that their private Internet discussions and pictures may not be so private after all. The city is asking job seekers for the user names and passwords to Internet social networking or Web groups they belong to. The decision is sparking an outcry from those who say the policy goes way too far. The issue has spawned hundreds of comments on Web forums and sharp criticism from legislators and the ACLU. "I liken it to them saying they want to look at your love letters and your family photos," said Amy Cannata, with the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana. "I think this policy certainly crosses the privacy line." The city argues that it only uses the information to verify application information -- and says it won't hold it against anyone for refusing to provide it. City officials say such checks can be useful, especially when hiring police officers and others in a position of public trust. Bozeman officials have been hammered with e-mails and phone calls ever since KBZK-TV of Bozeman reported the policy on Wednesday, including an excerpt from the city application form that states "Please list any and all current personal or business Web sites, web pages or memberships on any Internet-based chat rooms, social clubs or forums, to include, but not limited to: Facebook, Google, Yahoo, YouTube.com, MySpace, etc." Bozeman City Commissioner Jeff Rupp said he was unaware city officers had implemented the policy, and expects the city commission will be talking about it. But Rupp said it is not as bad as it sounds since applicants are not scored negatively for refusing to answer the question. "I can tell you I would not provide it in an application I submit," Rupp said. "I have been told repeatedly it is not scored, and the application is not discarded if not provided." Rep. Brady Wiseman, a Bozeman Democrat, led the state's fight against the Patriot Act when the Legislature issued a harsh critique of the federal act, arguing it trampled civil liberties and put the government into a position of snooping on citizens. Wiseman said Bozeman now is going too far. "Asking for passwords is over the line," Wiseman said. "I think that this notion opens up a whole new line of debate on privacy." The intense pressure generated in just a couple days is hitting the city hard. Bozeman City Attorney Greg Sullivan told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle Thursday that the city may look at changing the policy so that they could view an applicant's social networking sites without asking for login information. One option would be to have an applicant add the city as a "friend" on such sites as Facebook. "We've already began that discussion," Sullivan said. Cannata, with the ACLU, said her organization has not found another government body that asks for such information. And even though the ACLU has not done a full legal analysis, she said the Bozeman policy doesn't pass the smell test. "It's one thing, and I think totally reasonable, if someone has a public profile to go check it out," Cannata said. But private groups and profile could reveal information employers could not legally base hiring decisions on, such as a person's religion, she added. "Are they going to go in and look at those things?" Cannata said. "And even if they don't intend to look at those things, it's still there for them to see."
	__________________ When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around. --Willie Nelson

Jun 19th, 2009, 04:03 PM	#3
Bella Earth to Bella Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,348	You've got to be kidding! You know what.. I'm laughing. I'm just not surprised.
Bella Earth to Bella Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,348	__________________

Jun 19th, 2009, 04:56 PM	#4
BagAngel Louis Vuitton Addict Joined: Oct 2006 Location: UK Posts: 20,251	That is totalyl crazy, they wouldn't get mine!
	__________________ Wishlist Mahina Xl or XXL in gris Balenciaga black Part Time with GSH Louis Vuitton black/white Leopard scarf (2006) Large Pewter Chanel flap Chanel J12 watch

Jun 19th, 2009, 06:32 PM	#5
envyme God's Creation Joined: Jan 2006 Location: I'm A Brain In A Jar Posts: 4,469	This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard!! WTF!!! I thought this was 2009, not 1984. Talk about invasion of privacy! I'm stunned.
	__________________ You just keep pushing. You just keep pushing. I made every mistake that could be made. But I just kept pushing. - Rene Descartes

Jun 19th, 2009, 07:11 PM	#6
Bella Earth to Bella Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,348	^If you ask my SO, he'll tell you there's no such thing anymore.
Bella Earth to Bella Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,348	__________________

Jun 19th, 2009, 04:02 PM	#2
bagaholic85 Member Joined: Sep 2007 Location: i <3 ny Posts: 5,090	asking for passwords is ridiculous. where do they come off even letting it get to the point where theyre ACTUALLY requesting it. it shouldve been squashed as soon as the moron who suggested it opened his or her mouth

Jun 19th, 2009, 07:39 PM	#7
twin53 Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 4,182	that is insane.
twin53 Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 4,182

Jun 19th, 2009, 09:09 PM	#8
leothelnss sun in moderation Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 5,994	That is crazy and way out of line. I'd apply elsewhere
	__________________ Leo's Collection "Are you stalking me? Cause that would be super" GOT my Alice dress!

Jun 19th, 2009, 10:33 PM	#10
.:Sprigged:. I heart ny Joined: Apr 2006 Location: 1785 Posts: 675	Insane...do they want to read my diary too??
	__________________

Jun 19th, 2009, 11:24 PM	#11
LV-PRADAfanatic Built Hot for LV Joined: Oct 2007 Location: That's ME ^_^ Posts: 14,740	no way.... i owuld not do it
	__________________ All so LoVely, so little time to get them all

Jun 20th, 2009, 03:36 PM	#12
coachmommyofmin Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,318	next thing they're gonna ask for is to put a camera into your bedroom to "make sure you don't do anything unusual in bed" ... stupidest idea i've ever heard, passwords. Yeah right!
coachmommyofmin Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,318

Jun 20th, 2009, 03:44 PM	#13
Panda1 Member Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 260	Ridiculous. Everyone knows they can say it doesn't adversely affect the applicants if they don't provide the information. Truthfully, it does. Like when you say "I refuse to answer", they automatically assume the worst. Why would they need to look at someone's My Space page anyways????
Panda1 Member Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 260

Jun 20th, 2009, 04:03 PM	#14
Sweetpea83 I <3 cycling Joined: May 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 15,126	Isn't it a violation of privacy under law??
	__________________ Life is short but a smile takes barely a second.~Cuban Proverb

Jun 20th, 2009, 09:50 PM	#15
Longchamp Member Joined: Aug 2006 Location: Lost and found Posts: 3,984	No , as it sounds like it's voluntary, you can refuse!!

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