--- title: HR Informant | Requiring applicants description: Requiring applicants | Want to know what is the hottest and latest employment law and HR trends and topics? Visit our blog and subscribe. --- [![logo-new-2](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-420784457-png/images/logo-new-2.png)](http://www.pinnaclehro.com?hsLang=en-us) - [Paycheck Login](https://www.paycheckrecords.com/default.jsp) - [HR Login](http://www.thinkhr.com/hrhotline/login.php) - [Payroll Login](https://iop.intuit.com)  |  1-888-353-2976 - [Payroll](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/employee-payroll-services-california?hsLang=en-us) - [Small Business Payroll Services](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/payroll-services/small-business-payroll-processing-services?hsLang=en-us)![](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-2100883184-jpg/images/payroll-small.jpg) - [Mid Size Business Payroll Services ](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/payroll-services/mid-size-business-payroll-processing-services?hsLang=en-us)![](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-2100883179-jpg/images/payroll-mid.jpg) - [Franchise Payroll Services](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/payroll-services/franchise-payroll-procecssing-services?hsLang=en-us)![](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-2100883189-jpg/images/payroll-franchise.jpg) - [Forms](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hr-forms?hsLang=en-us) - [Blog](https://www.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles?hsLang=en-us) - [Human Resources](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-hr-outsourcing-services?hsLang=en-us) - [Small Business HR](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-hr-outsourcing-services/for-small-business?hsLang=en-us)![](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-2101786107-jpg/images/small-business.jpg) - [Mid Size Business HR](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-hr-outsourcing-services/for-mid-size-business?hsLang=en-us)![](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-2101791142-jpg/images/mid-size-business.jpg) - [HR Software](https://www.pinnaclehro.com/hr-software?hsLang=en-us) - [Employee Handbook Development](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-hr-outsourcing-services/employee-handbook-california?hsLang=en-us)![](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-2097413383-jpg/images/employee.jpg) - [Virtual HR](https://www.pinnaclehro.com/virtualhr/thinkhr?hsLang=en-us)![](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-2097413393-jpg/images/background-services.jpg) - [Workers Compensation](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-hr-outsourcing-services/workers-compensation-companies?hsLang=en-us)![](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-2101791147-jpg/images/diverse-workers.jpg) - [Benefit Administration](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-hr-outsourcing-services/employee-benefit-plan-administration?hsLang=en-us)![](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-2101786112-jpg/images/benifits.jpg) - [Injury Illness and Prevention Program](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-hr-outsourcing-services/illness-injury-prevention-program?hsLang=en-us)![](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-2101786102-jpg/images/safety.jpg) - [Forms](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hr-forms?hsLang=en-us) - | - [Blog](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles?hsLang=en-us) - [Employee Screening](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/employee-screening-services?hsLang=en-us) - [Background Checks](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/employment-background-check?hsLang=en-us)![](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-2097423538-jpg/images/background-checks.jpg) - [Drug Testing Services](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/drug-testing-services?hsLang=en-us)![](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-2102613585-jpg/images/drug-testing.jpg) - [Forms](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hr-forms?hsLang=en-us) - | - [Blog](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles?hsLang=en-us) - [About](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/aboutus?hsLang=en-us) - [Meet Our Team](https://www.pinnaclehro.com/pinnacle-employee-services-team?hsLang=en-us)![](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-2102613590-jpg/images/crowd.jpg) - [Whats Different ](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/best-payroll-services?hsLang=en-us)![](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-2102608550-jpg/images/vendor-selection.jpg) - [Careers](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hr-careers?hsLang=en-us)![](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-2102613580-jpg/images/careers.jpg) - [News](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-news-articles-?hsLang=en-us)![](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-2097423543-jpg/images/news.jpg) - [Forms](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hr-forms?hsLang=en-us) - | - [Blog](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles?hsLang=en-us) - [SUPPORT](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/contact-us?hsLang=en-us) - [Blog](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles?hsLang=en-us) - [Forms](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hr-forms?hsLang=en-us) - [Paycheck Login](https://www.paycheckrecords.com/default.jsp) - [HR Login](http://www.thinkhr.com/hrhotline/login.php) - [Payroll Login](https://iop.intuit.com/login/aclogin.jsf) - 1-888-353-2976 ![HR Allen Consulting Services](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-2109694015-jpg/images/mike.blog.final.jpg?width=990&height=198&name=mike.blog.final.jpg) ## [Asking For Facebook Passwords Is Risky](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/bid/73732/Asking-For-Facebook-Passwords-Is-Risky?hsLang=en-us) [Posted on Wed, Mar 28, 2012](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/author/michael-allen) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hs-fs/file-13825245-jpg/images/facebook-03-resized-600.jpg) ](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/bid/73732/Asking-For-Facebook-Passwords-Is-Risky?hsLang=en-us) News of job interviewers demanding Facebook passwords from applicants caused a media storm. Top news outlets published numerous reports about job applicants being asked to give their Facebook passwords to hiring managers during job interviews so the potential employer could inspect personal profiles on the applicants’ Facebook pages. California employers should think twice about engaging in this practice during the recruiting and hiring process. As discussed in HR Allen’s [social media white paper](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/decoding-the-social-media-in-the-workplace/?hsLang=en-us) (sign in required), peeking at an applicant’s Facebook page could reveal information to the person conducting the interview that the person is prohibited from asking about, such as religious affiliation or sexual orientation.   What if the employer learns from the Facebook page that the applicant is pregnant? The employer now opens itself up to a discrimination lawsuit if the employer does not hire the applicant. The applicant may argue that the reason she was not hired was because the employer learned she was pregnant from her Facebook profile and discriminated against her. Further, an individual’s privacy rights under the California Constitutions may be violated. Facebook Chief Privacy Officer Erin Egan issued a [statement](http://www.facebook.com/notes/facebook-and-privacy/protecting-your-passwords-and-your-privacy/326598317390057) warning that Facebook may take action against employers who demand passwords. “We’ll take action to protect the privacy and security of our users, whether by engaging policymakers, or, where appropriate, by initiating legal action … ,” Egan said, citing concerns that the demands violate Facebook’s terms of service.  Two U.S. Senators asked the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate whether the practice of demanding passwords violates federal laws. See the [full letter](http://schumer.senate.gov/Newsroom/record.cfm?id=336396).  [Read More](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/bid/73732/Asking-For-Facebook-Passwords-Is-Risky?hsLang=en-us) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/bid/73732/Asking-For-Facebook-Passwords-Is-Risky?hsLang=en-us#comments-listing) Tags: [Ask for Facebook password](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/topic/ask-for-facebook-password), [Employee privacy](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/topic/employee-privacy), [Employer Facebook password requests](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/topic/employer-facebook-password-requests), [Log into Facebook](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/topic/log-into-facebook), [Recruiting](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/topic/recruiting), [Requiring applicants](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/topic/requiring-applicants), [Social media and recruiting](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/topic/social-media-and-recruiting), [Social media recruiting](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/topic/social-media-recruiting), [HR Allen Consulting Services](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/topic/hr-allen-consulting-services), [Hiring](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/topic/hiring), [HRCalifornia](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/topic/hrcalifornia) [All Posts](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles/all) ### Stay updated with the hottest and latest employment law and HR trends and topics ### Most Popular Blog Posts Areas We Serve - [Arizona Payroll Services](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/payroll-processing-services-arizona?hsLang=en-us) - Phoenix   |   Scottsdale   |   Tucson   |   Mesa   |   Tempe   |   Glendale - [California Payroll Services](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/payroll-processing-services-california?hsLang=en-us) - Long Beach   |   Oakland   |   Beverly Hills   |   Santa Barbara   |   Anaheim   |   Fresno   |   Santa Monica   |   Pasadena   |   Los Angeles   |   San Francisco - [California HR Mgmt Outsourcing](http://www.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-hr-outsourcing-services?hsLang=en-us) - Long Beach   |   Oakland   |   Beverly Hills   |   Santa Barbara   |   Anaheim   |   Fresno   |   Santa Monica   |   Pasadena   |   Los Angeles   |   San Francisco - [Nevada Payroll Services](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/payroll-processing-services-nevada?hsLang=en-us) - Reno   |   Las Vegas   |   Henderson   |   Carson City   |   North Las Vegas [Payroll Services](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/employee-payroll-services-california?hsLang=en-us) - [Small Business Payroll Services](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/payroll-services/small-business-payroll-processing-services?hsLang=en-us) - [Mid Size Business Payroll Services](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/payroll-services/mid-size-business-payroll-processing-services?hsLang=en-us) - [Franchise Payroll Services](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/payroll-services/franchise-payroll-procecssing-services?hsLang=en-us) [About Us](http://www.pinnaclehro.com/aboutus?hsLang=en-us) - [Meet Our Team](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hr-allen-team?hsLang=en-us) - [What's Different](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/best-payroll-services?hsLang=en-us) - [Careers](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hr-careers?hsLang=en-us) - [News](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-news-articles?hsLang=en-us) - [Privacy Policy](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/privacy-policy?hsLang=en-us) [Screening Services](http://www.pinnaclehro.com/employee-screening-services?hsLang=en-us) - [Background Checks](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/employment-background-check?hsLang=en-us) - [Drug Testing Services](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/drug-testing-services?hsLang=en-us) [HR Services](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-hr-outsourcing-services?hsLang=en-us) - [Small Business HR](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-hr-outsourcing-services/for-small-business?hsLang=en-us) - [Mid Size Business HR](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-hr-outsourcing-services/for-mid-size-business?hsLang=en-us) - [Employee Handbook Development](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-hr-outsourcing-services/employee-handbook-california?hsLang=en-us) - [Virtual HR ](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-hr-outsourcing-services/online-payroll-service?hsLang=en-us) - [Workers Compensation](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-hr-outsourcing-services/workers-compensation-companies?hsLang=en-us) - [Benefit Administration](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-hr-outsourcing-services/employee-benefit-plan-administration?hsLang=en-us) - [Injury Illness and Prevention Program ](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-hr-outsourcing-services/illness-injury-preventioin-program?hsLang=en-us) - [Testimonials](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hr-testimonials?hsLang=en-us) - [Blog](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/human-resources-articles?hsLang=en-us) - [Forms](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/hr-forms?hsLang=en-us) - [Contact Us](https://promotion-payroll-hr.pinnaclehro.com/contact-hr-allen?hsLang=en-us) - [Linked-In](http://www.linkedin.com/company/578821?trk=tyah) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/pinnacleHRO) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/user/hrallenconsultingsvc) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/pinnacle_employee_services/) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/pinnaclehro)