Social media background checks can reveal information that may impact hiring decisions. Often, this includes so-called red flags like excessive cursing, pictures of hard-partying, or extreme political opinions.
However, social media screening should be conducted with caution. It can violate privacy and data protection laws if not done properly.
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Social Media is a Public Space
Social media platforms collect, retain and share our data. They often disclose it to third parties, which can be used maliciously. These companies have massive stores of sensitive personal data, including location information, medical records, financial transactions, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, facial recognition imagery, private messages, and even private photos. These massive databases are vulnerable to hacking and data breaches, which can expose our most private information.
These privacy risks are compounded by platform consolidation, which allows large companies to acquire competitors, exercise monopolistic power, and severely limit the rise of privacy-protective alternatives. Moreover, they share personal data with government officials and other third parties, such as advertising and analytics firms. In addition, the sheer volume of personal information collected by these companies puts people at risk of privacy intrusion and cyberstalking.
Employers and credit reporting agencies use social media background checks to dig up incriminating information about job candidates. But this practice has many privacy challenges, and applying the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to social media background checks must be challenging.
Having clear guidelines for social media use in the workplace is important. While it’s not illegal to look at an applicant’s social media account, the employer must be careful not to cross the line with discrimination. For example, if an employer examines a candidate’s social media and rejects them for inappropriate content, the candidate could file a claim for wrongful termination.
It’s Easy to Access
Many employers and background screening companies are turning to social media monitoring to assess candidates. These tools can reveal much information, including criminal convictions, often overlooked by traditional checks. They can also uncover behavior that may be inappropriate in the workplace. However, this practice is causing concern among privacy advocates, who are worried that it violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Moreover, some social media platforms allow users to share public data about themselves. This can include behavior, preferences, demographics, and images. Big data companies and scientists then use this information to create personas that know more about people than their friends and family.
This can make it easy for employers to find negative online content about candidates. But the employer must ensure that it has a legitimate reason to search an applicant’s social media and that it weighs this against the candidate’s right to privacy.
Many people post inappropriate content on their social media channels that can damage their professional reputations. These include bragging about driving recklessly and evading police, illegal drug use, or offensive remarks about protected characteristics (such as race, religion, or sexual orientation). This kind of activity can easily be caught by background check software. But the process can be complicated, especially when people constantly change their profiles to hide their private content.
It’s Easy to Share
Social media is a great way to share content but has downsides. While the internet has allowed us to connect with people worldwide, it has also allowed some to spread misinformation and even hate. As a result, it is important to be aware of the impact of social media and how you can protect yourself from it.
Many employers use social media background checks as part of their screening process, but this can be risky. If hiring an employee, ask them for permission before checking their social media. Otherwise, it may be considered an invasion of privacy. It’s also important to consider how extensive a social media check will be, as it can take a lot of time.
In addition to criminal records, social media background checks are a powerful tool that helps employers identify potentially dangerous behavior and hire safer employees. For example, an employee’s social media can show that they have displayed racial hatred or intolerance or that they have engaged in sexually explicit behavior or harassed colleagues or clients. These serious issues can lead to lawsuits and reputational damage, so companies must screen social media before hiring.
However, consulting with a professional background screening company that uses third-party reporting agencies is essential. This will ensure that the results are EEOC and FCRA-compliant.
It’s Easy to Hide
Social media background checks have become increasingly popular in recent years as hiring managers scour the online accounts of candidates for red flags. However, the practice has its risks. In addition to privacy concerns, extensive social media searches can be time-consuming and costly. And it’s important to remember that a candidate can hide information behind strict privacy settings or even create a fake account.
Although some argue that social media background checks are unnecessary, they can help employers spot major red flags that may not be revealed through other types of screening. For example, if an employee makes derogatory remarks about their employer on social media, this can be a sign that they are not fit to work for your company. Moreover, other background checks, like employment verifications and reference checks, don’t reveal this information.
Furthermore, social media background checks can be dangerous because they might expose sensitive personal information. This information can be used to commit fraud or to hurt someone’s reputation. Furthermore, it can also be used to target a particular group. For example, if an employer sees that a candidate belongs to a group about pregnancy, this might trigger subconscious bias and make them disqualify the applicant. This is a serious problem because it can lead to discrimination in the workplace.