Workplace Privacy in the Age of Social Media

Authors

Tess Traylor-Notaro, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law

Publication Date

7-1-2018

Abstract

This note addresses the lack of adequate protections in Ohio for social media privacy laws in the workplace and compares proposed legislation in Ohio to legislation that has passed in other states. It examines the provision of the SCA including the definition of "user" and whether social media sites fall under its umbrella. It also looks at the safeguards and limitations of the SCA and how it is used to protect a private employee’s social media account. It analyzes the state statutory laws in Arkansas, Illinois, and California passed specifically to prevent employers from requesting passwords to personal Internet accounts. The note then analyzes Canada’s approach to workplace privacy. Finally, based on this analysis, it looks at the proposed House Bill in Ohio and argues that Ohio should pass a bill prohibiting employers from requesting access to employees’ social media accounts, and offers suggestions on what this bill should include.

First Page

133

Recommended Citation

Tess Traylor-Notaro, Workplace Privacy in the Age of Social Media, 7 Global Bus. L. Rev. 133 (2018)
available at https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/gblr/vol7/iss1/8