City asks applicants for Internet passwords

[redrumloa]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/City-asks ... et=&ccode=

The city is asking job seekers for the user names and passwords to Internet social networking or Web groups to which they belong. The decision is sparking an outcry from those who say the policy goes way too far.

The issue has spawned hundreds of comments on Web forums and sharp criticism from legislators and the ACLU.

"I liken it to them saying they want to look at your love letters and your family photos," said Amy Cannata, with the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana. "I think this policy certainly crosses the privacy line."

 

[Glaucus]

Just goes to show that being a complete idiot isn't enough to prevent you from being elected into office.

 

[faethor]

I was thinking of this... We don't know how this will be used. Everyone assumes the worst an invasion of privacy. Perhaps it's the best! If I put this question on an interview and someone gave away their passwords that easily would I want them on my IT team? Nope. Not at all. Perhaps if someone filled in the passwords they were immediately disqualified. Afterall anyone with half a brain that does IT should know that passwords are not to be shared.

For example...One of my managers passed me their two finalist candidates for the final Director approval. This person is being hired in a role with a heavy requirement on security. I asked them about SATAN. Needless to say I wasn't impressed when they gave me their history of church participation and how they hated SATAN.

 

[ilwrath]

If I put this question on an interview and someone gave away their passwords that easily would I want them on my IT team? Nope. Not at all. Perhaps if someone filled in the passwords they were immediately disqualified. Afterall anyone with half a brain that does IT should know that passwords are not to be shared.

Well, it depends... If the person gave you the password to an account that was actually theirs and being used, then yes, by all means, disqualify them. Of course, if someone asked me that, I'd most likely comply by giving them a password to an empty account containing no actual information, at all.

I wouldn't risk that not complying with a boneheaded HR checkbox could disqualify me, but I also wouldn't actually disclose anything useful to anyone. Of course, this does bring to question whether I'd want to work any place that would request something so boneheaded of me... But, in this economy, I'm pretty much willing to work for anyone who has the means to pay me.

For example...One of my managers passed me their two finalist candidates for the final Director approval. This person is being hired in a role with a heavy requirement on security. I asked them about SATAN. Needless to say I wasn't impressed when they gave me their history of church participation and how they hated SATAN.

Ouch... I at least remember it's a security scanning tool. Not much more than that, but hey... I don't really work in security much other than keeping systems patched at specified levels and configured in line with guidelines. I'm much more system admin than security guy. Is your company hiring? I think I'm only half kidding, here...

 

[the_leander]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/City-asks-applicants-for-apf-3157638444.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=5&asset=&ccode=

The city is asking job seekers for the user names and passwords to Internet social networking or Web groups to which they belong. The decision is sparking an outcry from those who say the policy goes way too far.

The issue has spawned hundreds of comments on Web forums and sharp criticism from legislators and the ACLU.

"I liken it to them saying they want to look at your love letters and your family photos," said Amy Cannata, with the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana. "I think this policy certainly crosses the privacy line."

In evil socialist EU, outside of a police investigation, any member of a company or public office asking for this sort of information would be opening themselves up to all manner of pain due to data protection laws. Indeed in soviet UK, comrade would be fined £5000 just for asking!

Yooo kepitalists are sooo beckwerds!

 

[redrumloa]

In evil socialist EU, outside of a police investigation, any member of a company or public office asking for this sort of information would be opening themselves up to all manner of pain due to data protection laws. Indeed in soviet UK, comrade would be fined £5000 just for asking!

Yooo kepitalists are sooo beckwerds!

Yes, it is very sad what started under Bush and got far worse under Obama. Our gov, headed by Stalin, eeeeer, Obama wants to outdo the USSR when it comes converting us to a Communist system. If this keeps up, I expect to see a net loss of people emigrating to the USA in my lifetime. Obama has made the Constitution nothing more than a relic of the past, so we will see far more freedom disappear.

Before you blast me for saying this has nothing to do with Obama, think again. Obama opened the door by retiring the constitution.

 

[cecilia]

please! cheney and bush ripped apart the Constitution

Obama has been looking for the pieces in the garbage.

 

[the_leander]

In evil socialist EU, outside of a police investigation, any member of a company or public office asking for this sort of information would be opening themselves up to all manner of pain due to data protection laws. Indeed in soviet UK, comrade would be fined £5000 just for asking!

Yooo kepitalists are sooo beckwerds!

Yes, it is very sad what started under Bush and got far worse under Obama. Our gov, headed by Stalin, eeeeer, Obama wants to outdo the USSR when it comes converting us to a Communist system.

You are kidding, right? I mean seriously. Your past pres, hier shrub, said it was ok to use concentration camps and not only paid other countries to torture those it kidnapped, but commissioned the US forces themselves to do it.

If this keeps up, I expect to see a net loss of people emigrating to the USA in my lifetime. Obama has made the Constitution nothing more than a relic of the past, so we will see far more freedom disappear.

Sorry, again, you're blaiming the wrong guy. Thanks to various bits of anti terror legislation, there is a net reduction on people comming into the US, both in terms of emigration and holidays. For some obscure reason, people don't like being treated like criminals for simply daring to want to visit.... As far as the constitution goes, three words: Free Speech Zones.

Bush has done more than practically any other president in US history to curtail civil liberties.

Before you blast me for saying this has nothing to do with Obama, think again. Obama opened the door by retiring the constitution.

Yeah, yeah, ok I'll tell him...

Red, that was 2002 calling, they want to let you know that they just watched a speech talking about an "Axis of Evil" and observed the Republican party press unprecidented and orwellian pieces of legislation into action.

You talk a lot about how Obama is a commie (lol) and produce a huge amount of hyperbole over the dude, I find it difficult to understand that you didn't use even a tiny fraction of this vitriol against the last guy (at least, not using these sorts of exagerations), a guy who actually did push you down a very authoritarian path.

 

[redrumloa]

You guys missed when I said this?

Yes, it is very sad what started under Bush

How many times do I have to say it? The Patriot Act was a POS! Even when I was still supporting Bush I was saying the Patriot act was a POS! I've also said Bush's last ~2-3 years were a total disaster. Do I need to yell this naked from a rooftop? ;-)

That said, you do not see Obama rolling back the Patriot Act do you? Instead you see commie bastards like Chavez laughing how far left Obama is.

 

[redrumloa]

please! cheney and bush ripped apart the Constitution

I agree with this part of your statement, the Patriot Act was and is shameful evil garbage.

Obama has been looking for the pieces in the garbage.

This part I do not agree with, if that was the case he would have immediately moved to roll the Patriot Act back. He also would not have stomped all over 150+ years of contract law and constitutional rights so his union thug cronies get a fat payday.

 

[cecilia]

Obama has aready done a great deal in the short time he's been in office. He has a HUGE job and I see no point in being angry at him because he hasn't solved Every single problem that exists in this country.

I'm pleased with the progress. In reality you just can't snap your fingers and have everything suddenly perfect