MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
EditorsMay 01, 2012
Facebook and the dangers of ‘TMI’
A recent Associated Press article ignited debate over employers asking for potential employees’ social media passwords, the combination of letters and numbers that open the door to the presumably personal worlds of accounts on sites such as Facebook and Twitter....
A recent Associated Press article ignited debate over employers asking for potential employees’ social media passwords, the combination of letters and numbers that open the door to the presumably personal worlds of accounts on sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Legislation also is being considered in a number of other states, including Minnesota, Illinois, California and Washington, and is under review on the federal level.
In addition, Facebook slammed the practice, noting in a blog by Chief Privacy Officer Erin Egan that it’s actually a violation of Facebook’s “Statement of Rights and Responsibilities” to share or solicit a Facebook password.
To begin with, it's worth noting that nobody is really certain how many private-sector employers are requesting applicants’ Facebook passwords or “shoulder-surfing,” asking an applicant log into their account during an interview in order to peek at their profile. (The AP report does note that the practice is utilized more for public sector positions, such as police officer or 911 dispatcher.)
After the AP story ran, a blog on U.S. News & World Report said that this perceived password-privacy invasion was, in reality, “extremely rare.” Wired also questioned how widespread the practice really is.
The attorneys I spoke to had differing opinions on its pervasiveness.
Joy R. Butler, a Washington-based attorney whose area of practice includes Internet law, said she has heard a number of anecdotes about employers implementing password-asking practices, particularly in the public sector. It has spilled over into the private sector as well, though Butler says she doesn’t have any statistics on exactly how widespread it is.
“I think it’s not being blown out of proportion. It’s a matter that needs to be addressed,” she says.
Conversely, Alastair Gamble, of Phoenix law firm Lewis and Roca LLP, says he has a sense the practice is not used as widely as the media might lead people to believe, though he allows that, “It may be going on all the time and I don’t know about it.”
One point that both attorneys agree on, however, is that employers need to tread very carefully when factoring social media into the hiring process. Don’t delve into potential employees’
social media accounts on any level unless you have a solid, documented reason for doing so, they say.
Gamble says to him, the largest potential problem is that it makes employers privy to information such as a person’s sexual orientation, religion and marital status--factors that, by law, cannot be considered in the hiring process. “All of those things might be at the forefront of somebody’s Facebook page,” he says.
If an employer decides not to hire someone after looking at their Facebook page and learning that, for example, they are Muslim or gay, they open themselves up to a potential lawsuit, even if those factors didn’t play a role in their decision.
To try to avoid liability, Gamble says he advises his clients, instead of relying on Facebook, follow up with references, perform a criminal background check and/or institute a longer interview process.
Butler brings up another interesting angle--that having additional information about a potential employee puts the employer at risk because it gives them access to too much information.
Gamble says to him, the largest potential problem is that it makes employers privy to information such as a person’s sexual orientation, religion and marital status--factors that, by law, cannot be considered in the hiring process. “All of those things might be at the forefront of somebody’s Facebook page,” he says.
If an employer decides not to hire someone after looking at their Facebook page and learning that, for example, they are Muslim or gay, they open themselves up to a potential lawsuit, even if those factors didn’t play a role in their decision.
To try to avoid liability, Gamble says he advises his clients, instead of relying on Facebook, follow up with references, perform a criminal background check and/or institute a longer interview process.
Butler brings up another interesting angle--that having additional information about a potential employee puts the employer at risk because it gives them access to too much information.
This is a state better known in this heyday of Internet slang as “TMI.”
The more employers know, the more they can be held liable for if something goes amiss with a new hire. Without access to Facebook, the universe of information that the employer could know about their employees “shrinks a little bit,” she says.
More on Editors
The Latest
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
