Facebook Password Is Fair Game Summary

Alfred Edmond Jr.’s article, “Why Asking for a Job Applicant's Facebook Password Is Fair Game” argues that although job applicants can refuse to give up their social media passwords with concerns of privacy reasons, company owners and employers still have the right to ask for them. An employer has the right to investigate a possible future employees social media on their own but asking for someone’s password is not only an invasion of privacy, it is also a waste of time. Although Edmond’s article did contain various valid points, he lacked the sufficient amount of rhetorical devices to persuade the reader into thinking this is fair game. The author provides one exceptional example alone as to why this would be okay. However, this method of

finding out more about a potential future employee is a lost cause because the aspirant could find numerous of ways to provide a false social media account, or simply deny that they have any social media.
Arguably, the writer’s most prominent rhetorical device in this piece of writing would most likely be pathos. A clear example would be when his scenario of a person who runs a school or day care might want to know almost every detail of a potential employees life and intentions for the safety of the minors attending their educational establishment. This provides reassurance to parents and guardians looking for a safe environment their children can grow up and learn in. Even though I am not a parent myself I can relate to a parent’s desire to know that their child is safe because I have younger siblings and nephews. Nonetheless, one can not be so naive and has to understand that no matter how hard one tries we can not protect our little ones from every threat the world holds. Yes we must be precautious but we can not live life without putting a slight amount of trust into other people. He goes on to talk about how we should not trust our social media sites because they are not as private as we think they are. He writes, “No matter what Facebook’s privacy policies are (which they can change at will without your permission)…always assume that posting on Facebook is just the ticking time bomb version of you shouting your private business from the middle of Times Square” (Edmond 133), this quote instantly institutes fear into anyone who might have a Facebook account and shared something private through a direct message thinking no one else would ever read it. It also may persuade people to stop sending private messages and posting things they think only their friends and family can see.
Moreover, throughout his entire article Edmond has only one source to rely on to back his argument up. He makes a recommendation that the reader of this article also read Eli Pariser’s book “Filter Bubble: What the Internet Is Hiding from You” so that the audience can “let go of the illusion of privacy on social media” (Edmond 133). Strangely enough though, he fails to provide any quotes or paraphrases directly from the source. Also there is an absence on any ratings and reviews on the piece of writing. If the author would have wanted to make his argument stronger and truly convince his audience to read the book he was recommending he would’ve provided more details on the book, and further his reasoning as to why one should read it.
On the subject of trying to convince his readers, Edmond also uses a bit of logic in his article as an attempt to sway the public why it is acceptable that employer obtain the password to an applicant’s social media account.

The author defends his claim by implying that although one can simply deny access to their own Facebook page, an employer still has the right to ask for it because they are the ones who have the company’s best interest at heart. Employers want their business to not only run smoothly, but also that their employees and customers feel and stay safe. Ironically, he contradicts himself when he states, “I would have to want the job pretty badly… I would see if there were other ways… I would try to negotiate terms to strictly limit both their use… and length of time”(Edmond 132). In that paragraph he starts with putting himself in the employer's shoes but switches his view to now thinking like the future employee. Just as the author stated, anyone can simply go onto their page before giving their password up and change or delete whatever they don’t want their possibly future boss to see. They can even simply deny to having any social media and delete the apps from their mobile device. What would employers do in that situation? Deny the applicant a job because they fail to obtain any sorts of social media? Or would they go even further and ask to go through the applicant’s phone? Let’s say the employer doesn’t trust the applicant’s word and goes and searches him up anyways, the applicant can simply deactivate his account until the hiring process is over so there would be no way for the employer to find the account and snoop on it. Edmond also fails to mention how a future employer might not be trustworthy themselves. Let’s say the applicant has nothing to hide and gives up their password with no hesitation but, he does have conversations with his family discussing family issues that would never conflict with the job he is trying to obtain. The employer

might go ahead and read his personal messages and decide to contract him after seeing that the individual is a good match for the position. The employer could also mention what he read to another employee, which in turn could start unnecessary rumors and drama in the workplace.
Needless to say, Alfred Edmond did provide a couple valid points in his argument on whether or not employers should have the right to ask for an applicant's Facebook password. However, he lacked the substantial amount of rhetorical devices to persuade me. My stance on the subject stays stagnant, asking for anyone's social media password is not only an invasion of privacy, it is also a huge waste of time. There are numerous ways an applicant can hide what they don’t want future employer to see. Employers have the right to know who their hiring and ultimately have the power to accept or deny anyone applying for any position in their workplace, but they should never have the right to snoop around anyone’s private messages and account. Just like an employer can’t always trust just anyone, an applicant can’t always trust their boss simp because they are working for them. You never know what if your employer runs off and shares sacred information you don’t want people finding out about. Even worse, what if other co-workers find out and start rumors. An applicant wants a job they can feel safe in and one they enjoy going to everyday not one they feel humiliated in. It’s simple if an employer can’t trust their employees having their passwords and seeing their private stuff, then neither can the applicants. Although they may not be equal in terms of employment, the treatment should always be equal.