Employer and School Access to Social Media Accounts (H 5255A as amended, S 0493A)

As social media use has become ubiquitous, so too has the temptation for schools and employers to use social media information to observe the activities of students and employees. ACLU of RI-drafted legislation would have protected users’ private social media profiles from undue intrusion by barring schools and employers from requesting or requiring students’, employees’ or applicants’ social media passwords, or otherwise gaining access to their private social media accounts. Several states have already approved this legislation. The bill was passed by the House in June, and by Senate Judiciary committee in July. However, for unexplained reasons, the bill was held up on the Senate floor and died without receiving a vote. You can read our testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee here.