California’s New Social Media “Password Protection” Law Takes a More Balanced Approach by Accounting for Employers’ Legitimate Business Interests

After a series of alleged incidents reported in the news media of employers (principally public employers) requesting or requiring access to employees’ or applicants’ personal social media accounts, legislators around the country rushed to introduce legislation in response to the public outcry. Maryland and then Illinois enacted the country’s first two “password protection” laws. On September 27, 2012, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law the nation’s third such law that generally prohibits employers from requiring or requesting that an employee or applicant provide access to personal social media content. Unlike the Illinois and Maryland laws, however, California’s law embodies a more balanced approach, taking into account employers’ legitimate business interests. It is effective January 1, 2013.