Many states have enacted social media privacy laws (statutes) that prohibit an employer from requesting or requiring an employee or job applicant to disclose their username or password on any personal social media account—or requesting or requiring the employee access the social media account in the presence of the employer. These laws often also prohibit an employer from penalizing, disciplining, or terminating/discharging an employee for refusing to disclose such information.

Social media privacy laws vary from state to state and may not apply if the employer is investigating an allegation of employee misconduct (harassing another employee on social media) or a violation of laws and regulations (communications on social media about workplace safety violations). And an employer may require or request an employee disclose a username, password, or other means of accessing an electronic device (phone, computer, tablet) issued by the employer.

States with specific social media privacy laws for the workplace include:

• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Illinois
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin

In states without specific social media privacy laws for the workplace, other general privacy laws may apply.

In Rhode Island, social media privacy laws protect employees and job applicants from having to disclose their personal social media account information to their employers. Under Rhode Island General Laws § 28-56-1 et seq., employers are prohibited from requesting or requiring an employee or applicant to provide access to their social media accounts, whether by disclosing usernames and passwords or by accessing the account in the employer's presence. Additionally, employers cannot force employees or penalize them for refusing to disclose such information. However, these protections do not apply if the employer is conducting an investigation into allegations of employee misconduct, such as harassment on social media, or if there are potential violations of laws and regulations. Furthermore, employers are allowed to request access to electronic devices like phones, computers, or tablets that they have provided to employees. It's important for both employers and employees in Rhode Island to understand these regulations to ensure compliance and protect personal privacy.