For some time the explosion in the popularity of social media caught regulators and legislatures napping. However, the states are catching up and recent legislation is restricting what employers and other institutional authorities can demand of individuals regarding their personal email and social media accounts.
It’s hard to imagine that employers in this litigious age we inhabit would demand things like usernames and passwords to employee’s personal accounts, but if you were ever tempted, take a look at this summary of laws from around the country.  You’ll find California’s new law reviewed on page 6.
This is a new world for attorneys and it is full of financial incentives to sue for any misconduct. Naturally, deep pockets attract sharks. It sounds like there’s a new chapter coming in employee manuals.