California Senate OKs ban to keep employers from social media passwords

California's Senate doesn't think your employer should have access to your Facebook account, and now, it's passed a bill reflecting that attitude. The state Senate passed SB1349, which would make it illegal for employers and admissions officers at colleges and universities to ask current or prospective employees and students for passwords to their social media accounts. With just five senators dissenting, the bill brings California another step closer to becoming one of the first states keeping companies out of their workers' social media accounts. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), said social media accounts often contain information employers are not allowed to ask for, including a person's religion. “Just simply turning over that account to an employer opens up tremendous liability,” State Sen Yee said.