Privacy: How far is too far?

Does the term "privacy" even exist anymore? With the tremendous advancements in social media, privacy seems to be nonexistent. So many young teens and adults are using Facebook, Twitter, Instragram, and many other forms of social media and it's virtually impossible to maintain your privacy. Many companies are now using potential employees' social media sites to see who these applicants are behind closed doors, what their interests are, how they speak to other people, etc. The way people act in job interviews and what they write on their resume is often very misconceiving. Therefore, having the ability to search for these applicants on the web allows the employers to see these possible future employees in another light. Personally, I do not find anything wrong with companies looking at the social media sites of potential employees because the internet is a public space and what you put on your Facebook is reflected upon you. Those who take their career seriously should not have any trashy pictures, bad language, or anything else that can be seen as  inappropriate. However, some companies have gone too far by asking job applicants for their passwords to the social media sites they have. Sending messages on Facebook is popular because it allows people to communicate with others privately. Regardless of whether your profile is public or private, no one can see messages sent but account owner. The privacy of employees and applicants who have to give their passwords to their employer is completely ruined. However, Maryland passed a bill banning employers from asking for the social media passwords of job applicants and employees and many other states are beginning to follow this trend. States such as Illinois, California, Michigan, Minnesota, and Massachusetts are all making it illegal for companies to ask for passwords to social media sites as well.

Although states are beginning to try to protect the privacy of employees and job applicants, there are still many issues with privacy that many social media users are unaware of. There is a huge misconception that setting your profile to "private" means no one can see your page unless you allow them to. However, there are many ways of getting around this privacy setting and gaining access to ones profile. Also, according to NBC's Consumer Reports, Facebook collects more data than people may think. Anytime you visit a website with a Facebook "like" button, Facebook gets a report of the website you are viewing, regardless of if you push the "like" button, are not signed into your account, and even if you don't even have a Facebook. Also, regardless of whether or not your Facebook is private, a friend using a Facebook app can allow your information to be transferred to third parties without your consent or knowledge.

Many social media users are so unaware of how limited their privacy is when they create an account. More people need to become informed and aware of the capabilities companies such as Facebook have when it comes to invading ones privacy. People need to get the misconception out of their head that setting their account to private means no one else can see it. As long as the use of social media continues to rise, the amount of privacy people have will decline. Bills may get passed that try and help protect ones privacy, but new ways of invading privacy will also rise.