The Social Networking Online Protection Act was reintroduced in Congress earlier this month. The bill seeks to protect the digital privacy rights of employees, job applicants and students from overreaching employers or prospective employers.
The bill states its purpose as follows:
“To prohibit employers and certain other entities from requiring or requesting that employees and certain other individuals provide a user name, password, or other means for accessing a personal account on any social networking website.”
The bill is said to provide a legal liability shield for businesses and educational institutions as well as individuals. Through this bill its believed that these protections would facilitate online use.
Washington state has a similar bill which is making its way through the legislative process. If passed, SNOPA would ensure protections for online users.