A group of US lawmakers on Wednesday proposed a bill that would make it illegal for employers or schools to require the disclosure of passwords for social networks such as Facebook.
The bipartisan proposal comes after reports that some firms have required passwords as a condition of employment, or that schools have asked for the information to guarantee enrollment or participation in sports programs.
The lawmakers said the bill, a reintroduction of a measure proposed last year, was aimed at protecting privacy in social networks like Facebook or Twitter.
“The lack of clarity in the law puts individuals in a position where they either have to give up vital, private information, or risk losing their job, potential job, or enrollment in school and involvement in the school’s sports programs,” said Representative Eliot Engel, one of the bill’s sponsors.
“Frankly, when there are no laws prohibiting institutions from requiring this information, it becomes a common practice.”
The proposed Social Networking Online Protection Act would protect people already employed or enrolled, those seeking employment or admittance, and those facing disciplinary action, from being required to disclose their passwords.
The lawmakers said six states — California, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan and New Jersey — have already enacted similar legislation, but argued that a federal bill is needed.
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