Passwords for jobs: Compression of identity in reaction to perceived organizational control via social media surveillance

News stories regarding societal engagement with technology can carry implicit threats regarding technology use. Comments posted in response to such implicit threats can provide a window into concerns regarding the intersections of technology, privacy, surveillance, and workplaces. Using the framework provided by Tracy and Trethewey’s Crystallized Selves, an iterative qualitative analysis was undertaken to examine 4725 responses to a Yahoo! News article reporting an implicit threat of potential employers asking for interviewees’ Facebook passwords. A series of categories emerged identifying perceived collusion between corporations, the government, and Facebook supported by competition in the labor market. Perceptions and understandings of this practice were influenced by how commentators perceived the labor market, meritocracy, and social media users.

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