Bipartisan House group introduces social media protection act

A bipartisan group of U.S. representatives have re-introduced the Social Networking Online Protection Act, or SNOPA, into the House Education and Workforce Committee.  As Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY) describes it, SNOPA:

"... protects people already employed or enrolled, and those seeking employment or admittance, or those facing disciplinary action, from being required to give passwords or other information used to access their online accounts."

In 2012, Engel and Janice Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced the bill only to watch it wither. This year, they're joined by Republican Congressman Michael Grim of New York - which may add steam to the effort - as well as Keith Ellison (D-MN), Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME).

In addition, as Speed Matters reported, in 2012 six states added similar legislation to their books, protecting some 50 million people from unwarranted employer intrusion into their personal online communications.

Schakowsky noted that legislation like SNOPA has become essential. She said:

"Asking for someone's password is like asking for a key to their home. Privacy is a basic right that all Americans share, and one that we should act to protect; this legislation sets boundaries. No one seeking an educational or job opportunity should have to worry that their personal password information will be required as a condition of enrollment or employment."

Reps. Engel, Schakowsky, Grimm seek to protect online content (Engel website, Feb. 6, 2013)

Six states now protect worker social media accounts (Speed Matters, Jan. 9, 2012)