May 4, 2012 2:08PM 

# Because Every Dumb Idea Should Be Illegal 

By [Jim Harper](https://www.cato.org/people/jim-harper) 

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Congress is considering [H.R. 5050](http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/112_HR_5050.html), the Social Networking Online Protection Act, which would prohibit employers from requiring or requesting that employees provide a user name, password, or other means for accessing a personal account on a social networking website.

##### Related Tags 

[Technology and Privacy](https://www.cato.org/technology-privacy) 

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