A state senator from Columbus has introduced a bill to ban Ohio employers from asking employees or potential employees for passwords to social media sites like Facebook. Dem. State Senator Charleta Tavares says her bill would prohibit employers, employment agencies and labor organizations from requiring an applicant or existing employee provide passwords for social utility accounts. She says employers can already send friend or connection requests to view information. "But to ask for the password so you can get into the site? I think that is going way beyond what is acceptable, and it really is an invasion of one's privacy," Tavares said. Taveares says her bill would also offer protections for people who refuse to divulge their passwords. Tavares says her legislation would also seek to prevent negative repercussions for Ohioans who are unwilling to divulge social utility information.
Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.