Are there laws that prohibit employers from requesting access to employees’ profiles on social media?

Yes, in Georgia there are laws that prohibit employers from requesting access to employees’ profiles on social media. This regulation is found in the Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act, which was passed in 2012. This Act prohibits employers from requiring or requesting that an employee provide their username or password in order for the employer to gain access to their social media accounts. This includes employers asking the employee to add them as a “friend” or follower of the employee’s social media accounts. The law also prohibits employers from taking any adverse action against an employee for not providing access to their social media accounts. It also states that employers must notify their employees in writing of their rights under this Act. Employers should also be aware that requesting access to an employee’s social media accounts could be considered a violation of the federal Stored Communications Act. It is important to note that while an employer is prohibited from requesting access to an employee’s social media, there are some instances where employers may be permitted to access their employees’ social media accounts. For example, an employer may be allowed to access an employee’s social media if they have a legitimate business reason to do so. Additionally, employers can still access public social media posts without requesting access to the employee’s account. Overall, employers should be aware that there are laws in place in Georgia that prohibit them from requesting access to their employee’s social media accounts. They should also be aware that violating this law could lead to legal action being taken against them.

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