Last week, Facebook came out swinging against the practice of employers asking employees or potential hires for access to their social network accounts, in order to dig around and find out more about them. And now, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Charles Schumer are pushing the government to investigate the matter further.

In an open letter (via Computer World) posted on Monday, Blumenthal and Schumer ask the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice to speak up regarding personal privacy and how employers use social networks to learn about candidates for employment.

“Employers have no right to ask job applicants for their house keys or to read their diaries,” Schumer said in a statement. “Why should they be able to ask them for their Facebook passwords and gain unwarranted access to a trove of private information about what we like, what messages we send to people, or who we are friends with?”

He added that it’s even more important when looking for a job, since the employers have all the power in the situation.

“Before this disturbing practice becomes widespread, we must have an immediate investigation into whether the practice violates federal law. I’m confident the investigation will show it does. Facebook agrees, and I’m sure most Americans agree, that employers have no business asking for your Facebook password,” he said.

Last week Facebook posted a statement on the controversial practice, telling users they would take action against any employers who abused the social network, and reiterated that you should never have to share your password.

“As a user, you shouldn’t be forced to share your private information and communications just to get a job.”

They also said they’d pursue legal action if necessary.

Senators seek probe of employers seeking Facebook info [Computer World]

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