Facebook May Ban Job Applications On Privacy Abuse

Facebook Inc., the world’s biggest social-networking service, said reports of businesses asking potential employees for passwords are “alarming” and discouraged users and companies from engaging in the practice.

The company may ask policy makers to intercede or even take legal action, Chief Privacy Officer Erin Egan said on the company’s site today. That could include shutting down applications that abuse privileges, she said.

Facebook, has come under growing scrutiny over the privacy of its users. Earlier this week, the Associated Press reported that some companies and government agencies are asking potential job candidates for Facebook passwords, drawing a rebuke from the American Civil Liberties Union and now Facebook itself.

“As a user, you shouldn’t be forced to share your private information and communications just to get a job,” Egan said. “As the friend of a user, you shouldn’t have to worry that your private information or communications will be revealed to someone you don’t know and didn’t intend to share with just because that user is looking for a job.” as Bloomberg stated.

The company already has made it a violation of its Statement of Rights and Responsibilities to share or solicit a Facebook password, Egan said.