facebook private messages in uk.?

[Jim]

my question is regarding uk law are employers allowed to request to see their employee's private facebook messages.?

[Frank]

I'm not a lawyer but unless your Facebook account directly pertains to your work, there's no logical reason why they would be able to. I'd ask them to get a warrant.

What are they trying to find out?

[Sadie]

No of course not that is a violation of privacy.

[Martin]

I think only certain jobs where you work with secret information (say some military things or even at a record company where you could be leaking material) can do that

[Eric S]

Well here in the U.S. we have to worry about the government spying on its own people...almost 1984 style....but theoretically if it is your own private account no one has the right to access it unless it is you, they have your permission such as if you allow a friend or spouse to go on there, or there is a court order.