I am sure some companies go looking for comments about themsevles that they don't appreciate. Some have sued yahoo, hotmail, and other web services that give out pen-name id's to get them to release the actual user of an account when that user has said somehting negative about the company. I believe the cases that went to court so far were all defeated with the help of ACLU supporting the web service (I may not be aware of all such cases nor is it clear if some companies might just turn over the information). I am not sure there is any law to force a company to not fire someone making negative remarks about it unless the comments and accompanying evidence would classify the person a whistle blower under the federal law. Many companies monitor email and what is on employee computers to seek out people misusing company resources. The social network systems should do a better job of warning users of such dangers. I note also that some companies that allow workers to work at home also install video cams in the homes of the employees to actually be able to monitor them when they want to. I suspect they are even concerned about who might really be doing the work!!! All of a sudden the home is not a private place. In the early days of email there was a wall street journal articel (becuase of the daft and lengels classic article on the "inadquacy" of text communications) that managers should never use email or should be seen typing. I wish i had saved a copy of htat one. After they got email sone managers decided it iwas a good way to assign unpleasent tasks or to fire people rather than meet with them face to face. Distinguished Professor Emeritus Information Systems, NJIT homepage: http://is.njit.edu/turoff