Facebook Law

Networking is clearly important to securing a job in this harsh global economy. Networking can also have its shortcomings in the way of too much data sharing. Your Facebook pictures or statuses may not only confirm your Career Purgatory but equally secure your position in it. Finally, a government is stepping in to help the careless job seeker who is sharing personal data carelessly. Now I can’t say I’m often envious of European employment laws but this is something that is really good news for German citizens. German Parliament has drafted a law that would make it illegal to use Facebook and Google Maps against employees.

Anything out in public is fair game, as are postings on networks specifically created for business contacts, such as LinkedIn.

In contrast, it will be illegal to become a Facebook friend with an applicant in order to check out private details, he said, adding that some people seem to be indiscriminate about whom they accept as a friend.

It has already been backed my German Chancellor Angela Merkel‘s cabinet. The bill will now move to parliament for deliberations. It is expected that this bill will become a law but the time line is unclear.

How long will it take us in the United States to get such protection for our employment in an increasingly tough job market?  It’s just a reminder that discrimination in the technology age is probably more rampant than ever, as such the laws are behind the current reality.

Read more about it at the New York Times (HERE) or the Huffington Post (HERE)