Libertarian Perspective: Employers that Demand Passwords

Remember joining Facebook? No?  Neither do I, but yet I cannot imagine life without it. It is difficult to recall the exact moment that I decided to sign up for the world's most popular social networking site. It is also tough to pin-point the precise moment when status updates entered my daily routine and my group of "friends" increased more than I had ever dreamed, or wanted.  Facebook has irreversibly altered the social landscape for all ages, from teenagers to grandparents. Without Facebook there would be fewer birthday wishes and surely individuals would be less involved in the intricate details of the lives of other people, that we barely know to being with. These days even a marriage engagement is not considered official, until it has been confirmed via Facebook.  Many Facebook users post information intended to only be viewed by "friends".  This content could be very embarrassing or even personally damaging if viewed by a possible future employer. This is why the stories circulating last week regarding companies demanding access to Facebook user passwords is so shocking and disturbing. From a libertarian perspective, there are two important takeaways.  The deplorable behavior utilized by the hiring company, which violates personal privacy, needs to be addressed.  Of equal importance is the need to allow the market and rule of law regulate or eliminate these abhorrent practice. The Federal Government should absolutely not get involved. 

Imagine how uncomfortable it would be if a prospective employer asked a potential employee to bring personal photo albums and private letters to a job interview. There cannot be many people who would agree to work for a company that has such a blatant disregard for personal privacy.  Personally, if I ever found myself in a situation where an employer requested private information, that I was uncomfortable sharing, I would politely decline and no longer entertain accepting their offer of employment.  

Defenders of this interview practice have compared the stipulation of supplying a Facebook password to the requirement, imposed by many companies, of providing a urine sample for drug testing.  Both practices are a violation of privacy.  Drug testing prior to gaining employment has become standard procedure in our society.  This is due to the fact that most people do not take offense to the fact that the government or corporations are free to determine and monitor what you place in your body.  Unless the people change their views on this subject, the market will continue to encourage these practices.Requesting access to passwords that enable a employer to gain further access into a prospective employees' personal information is the logical result of our societies' lack of awareness regarding personal privacy.  Hiring firms have taken advantage of this lack of allegiance to individual liberty and have demanded every bit of information they are able to legally obtain.  This assists employers in decreasing the amount of risk which they are exposed, when adding a new employees.  Although the behavior of today's employers can be intrusive and downright offensive, we must be wary of inciting additional government intervention in the hiring process.  This would waste more Federal funds and increase the cost of hiring by demanding compliance with more federal regulations.  Additional cost obtaining labor could exert a downward force on wages and benefits.

Facebook issued a warning to employers last week claiming that forcing prospective employees to yield passwords to employers was a violation of privacy and potentially illegal.  Erin Egan, Facebook's chief privacy of policy officer, had the following to say:

As a user, you shouldn't be forced to share your private information and communications just to get a job, and as the friend of a user, you shouldn't have to worry that your private information or communications will be revealed to someone you don't know and didn't intend to share with just because that user is looking for a job.

Only time will tell how the legality of implementing this practice is viewed by the courts.  Even if these methods are deemed not to be legal, companies will continue to blur the lines of privacy.  Government intervention could result in lower wages and less employment opportunities.  The only way to get companies to respect privacy is for the individuals seeking employment to reject intrusive hiring procedures.  When free individuals take ownership of their personal lives and private information, hiring companies will be forced to adapt in order to stay competitive.Receive access to ALL of our EXCLUSIVE bonus audio content – including “Conspiracy Corner”, “Degenerate Gamblers” and the “League of Liberty Podcast” by joining the Lions of Liberty Pride and supporting us on Patreon!