Social network authoritarianism claims its first victim

[Cain]

http://www.dailydot.com/news/teacher-aide-suspended-facebook-refused-access/

A former teacher's aide in Michigan says she's been fired after refusing to give her Facebook password to her supervisors.

Kimberly Hester was employed directly by Less Cass Intermediate School District as an aide to a local elementary school. Last year, off work hours, she posted a picture of a co-worker's pants around her ankles with the caption "Thinking of you"—meant to be funny—to her Facebook page.

Someone—Hester suspects a particular parent who is Facebook friend—saw the photo and complained to the school. A few days later, the district Superintendent began repeatedly asking her for access to her Facebook page. Each time, Hester refused.

Soon after, the district's Special Education Director wrote to Hester, saying "n the absence of you voluntarily granting Lewis Cass ISD administration access to you[r] Facebook page, we will assume the worst and act accordingly."

Hester told the South Bend Tribune the district then suspended her and that she's currently on unpaid leave.

"I did nothing wrong. I would not, still to this day, let them into my Facebook," she said. "I don't think that's OK for an employer to ask you."

There isn't specific legislation protecting employees' social media rights, but it's a hot topic in Washington.

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives struck down an amendment that would prevent employers from asking potential employees for Facebook passwords. In response, several senators say they're drafting similar legislation to try again.

Emphasis mine.  At least some Senators seem concerned about this kind of thing.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Wow, fuck!

What's next? Will employers be allowed to monitor your home with video cameras and institute a curfew?

[Nephew Twiddleton]

Wow, fuck!

What's next? Will employers be allowed to monitor your home with video cameras and institute a curfew?

It's like the same obsession people show with celebrities. Except that employers are the paparazzi and your everyday shlub is the starlet.

[Anna Mae Bollocks]

A lot of school restrooms have cameras. IT'S FOR YOUR CHILDREN.

[Elder Iptuous]

regarding the bolded...
do we really need legislation to protect against this?  it seems a blatant invasion of privacy that should be protected under existing law...

[Freeky]

regarding the bolded...
do we really need legislation to protect against this?  it seems a blatant invasion of privacy that should be protected under existing law...

Considering the article, I'd say the answer is a big fat YES.

[Bu🤠ns]

regarding the bolded...
do we really need legislation to protect against this?  it seems a blatant invasion of privacy that should be protected under existing law...

Considering the article, I'd say the answer is a big fat YES.

Or that's what they want you to think.

[Cardinal Pizza Deliverance.]

Wow. That's special.

[Anna Mae Bollocks]

It don't no judge give a shit about them old privacy laws.
Y'all fuckin socializts need ta quit tryin to regulate BIDNESS.
           /

[Cain]

The only specific protection I can think of that directly impacts on giving up passwords is the Fifth Amendment, and judges have even ruled that suspects must give up their passwords to encrypted drives and folders, as I recall.

[Template]

At first I misread, and imagined that the legislature was going to conspire to breach a mutually beneficial contract.  That would have been fun.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tortious_interference

That, or the Facebook ToS was a coercive contract, and holds no water.