Montana city ceases controversial background checks p1 - Military Transition - Military Times EDGE

A flood of criticism has prompted the city of Bozeman, Mont., to drop its request that government job applicants turn over their user names and passwords to Internet social networking sites and Web groups. The city abruptly suspended the practice in June, saying it “appears to have exceeded that which is acceptable to our community.”

The American Civil Liberties Union of Montana immediately questioned the legality of the policy after it was reported by a local TV station. “I liken it to them saying they want to look at your love letters and your family photos,” said Amy Cannata of the Montana ACLU. “I think this policy certainly crosses the privacy line.” The city initially argued that it only used the information to verify application information. People who refused to provide the information wouldn’t have been penalized, the city said. The ACLU has not found another government body that asks for such information, Cannata said.