Facebook Protection Amendment Voted Down In House

[Galraedia]

Source: Huffington Post

WASHINGTON -- House Republicans blocked a measure Tuesday night that would have let the Federal Communications Commission prevent employers from forcing workers to reveal their Facebook passwords.

Democrats offered the legislation as part of bill to slap new restrictions on FCC rules after a string of reports about employers insisting on access to social media accounts -- a practice that some senators already want investigated by the Justice Department.

"It only makes sense because those that are using these kinds of social media have an expectation of privacy," said Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.), offering the Democratic motion on the House floor. "They have an expectation that their right to free speech or their right to free religion will be respected when they use these social media outlets."

He added that "if an employer wants to pose as or impersonate the individual who had to turn over their confidential password, that employer, I think, will be able to reach into personal, private information of the user... or of the person who's communicating with them."

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/27/facebook-password-protection-amendment-congress_n_1384045.html?ref=politics

[JBoy]

1. Republicans hate us for our freedoms.

[FourScore]

2. Once again, the party of less intrusion votes for more intrusion. n/t

[Iliyah]

3. They have the 5 justices

in the US Supreme to admire.

[longship]

4. But what is Walden (R-OR) saying here?

You don't protect the consumer, and there are many of us who after this debate concludes and moves on, would be happy to work with you on legislation because I think this is a real issue that we all share, and that is protecting privacy. This doesn't do that.

What does the bill say to which the Repukes are objecting?

Here's the text of the amendment:

Nothing in this Act or any amendment made by this Act shall be construed to limit or restrict the ability of the Federal Communications Commission to adopt a rule or to amend an existing rule to protect online privacy, including requirements in such rule that prohibit licensees or regulated entities from mandating that job applicants or employees disclose confidential passwords to social networking Web sites.

Seems pretty straight forward to me. What's with these Repugnants that they want employers to be able to pry into people's private lives? But of course, we already know that they want to interpose government and employers into women's contraception decisions, so why not this?

God damn it! When is President Obama going to say that enough is enough? After all, this is apparently becoming a very important political issue for the Repugnant party. How can Obama keep his eyes closed to this?

Am I crazy? Or is this something that should just be a done deal?

Help me here, please somebody!

[Posteritatis]

10. Their main objection is probably that the Democrats proposed it. (nt)

[alp227]

5. Rick Santorum is definitely lusting for something...

[msongs]

6. because of my religious views prospective employees must give me bank accts # + passwords nt

[Quantess]

7. Horrible!

Individuals can go ahead and refuse to give out their password to prospective employers, and they may not hire you. If it only happened now and then it wouldn't be a big deal, but what happens when all employers routinely ask for your facebook password? Then you'll be in the same boat as all those people who refuse to urinate in a cup...with fewer employment options.

Edit to add: I can understand the reasoning behind pre-employment drug screening, and in many cases I agree with it. But facebook? Come on!

[crunch60]

8. My company wanted me to fill out a Employee Health Assessment form. I

refused and they told me my insurance rate would go up. I told them OK, that I valued my privacy. I also told them that the company did not have "A right to know, or a need to know" my health information. I believe the 200 section of the California Penal Code addresses that privacy issue.
My insurance co pay did go up some, but I believed this was just another data mining company they had hired under false pretenses. Another middleman coming between me and my Dr. Don't let your employer intimidate you into giving them information. They can use that information against you when needed.

[Posteritatis]

9. And they voted unanimously against it. Wow. (nt)

[Javaman]

11. corporations rule.

never forget that.

we no longer live in a land where people matter.

we are consumers not citizens.

we are the great unwashed not the have mores.

our privacy is their knowledge.

we the people exist only on a tabulation sheet, next to a number; only to be tallied for how much overhead we account for.

sip the victory gin, because that is your last drink.

[2ndAmForComputers]

12. Jesus FUCK.