How anything you've EVER said on the internet could be seen by employers as Feds approve firm

Daily Mail ^ | 6/26/11 | Fiona Roberts

[Nachum]

The Federal Trade Commission has approved a controversial firm which scours social media sites to check on job applicants. It means anything you've ever said in public on sites including Facebook, Twitter and even Craigslist could be seen by your would-be employer.[Snip]It raises the frightening prospect of any social media posting, even it's years old or was meant as a joke, being used in background checks. Applicants who use online pseudonyms aren't safe, either - the firm uses special software to link those nicknames with real, offline names known to employers.

[muawiyah]

I see a problem here that can be readily resolved with a single lawsuit. What I write, or you write, or anyone writes is COPYRIGHTED. All you have to do is assert your right to put it in play legally.

So, this company is going to do a "collected works" of everything you wrote on the net and SELL THAT INFORMATION TO A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER.

Seems to me that's a commercial use of someone else's property (your words with copyrights), and you can't ordinarily do that without a release from the owner.

RightHaven is probably pretty hungry about now but this looks like low hanging fruit for that bunch of smarm merchants.

[Polynikes]

“If you use fake names on your social networking sites, how would they know it’s you?”

Only if you disclose your pseudonym, if any, or even use a social networking site. Other than that the employer would have to obtain your IP address to trace back postings to you. That would be unlikely.

If you do like Facebook etc. maintain 2 accounts one of which is squeaky clean and is used in effect as a virtual resume.

Think before post. Case in point the rioters in Vancouver whose Facebook antics came back to bite them.

[Texas Fossil]

FUBO!

Defiance to Tyrants is obedience to God!

[muawiyah]

The "firm" certainly makes it's officers, owners, managers and employees targets for violence.

It's one thing to collect information on people, and it's quite another to tell folks what you are up to!

It is, fundamentally, a very stupid idea.

[Charlespg]

class action lawsuit ,conspiracy to violate freedom of speech ect

[Nachum]

"The lists of those selected for reeducation camps are now being compiled. Have your toothbrush handy."

Ha! Comrade! Our fearless leader has a special place in his 'Green, Shovel-Ready, Work Camp' for me.

[fatnotlazy]

Thank you, but my facebook account does not have my real name on it. I also use a photograph of my best friend’s kitten or something generic — never a real photo of me.

[arderkrag]

Personally, I would never, ever use this firm. However, I know a lot of employers I wouldn’t apply at who would use it.

[Polynikes]

” The lists of those selected for reeducation camps are now being compiled. Have your toothbrush handy.”

Report to the train station in the morning. Bring a single small bag and a shovel. Dress warmly. Happy traveling comrade.:~)

[rabscuttle385]

This is stupid.

What folks do off hours is their business.

[Texas Fossil]

Several years ago I had a screen capture of a Technorati search result frozen by ATT/Yahoo! (they received the e-mail through my local ISP)

Nothing illegal, nothing obscene, nothing classified; but none the less it was frozen. I received an e-mail several days later stating not to resend my message (I already had through another e-mail account) that my message was being “held for testing”. I responded with “Testing for what and by whom?” and got no response.

Welcome to the Brave New World. And this was prior to Obozo being sworn in. hee hee hee

[rabscuttle385]

It raises the frightening prospect of any social media posting, even it's years old or was meant as a joke, being used in background checks. Applicants who use online pseudonyms aren't safe, either - the firm uses special software to link those nicknames with real, offline names known to employers.

This is just plain wrong.

[Charlespg]

Henry Bowman and jury nullification come to mind

its crap like this that brings out the reactionary in me

a sane government that cared about freedom and the Bill of Rights would have slapped these people down hard

[rabscuttle385]

ping

[Flag_This]

"finding the Ceo's and breaking their knees and legs might end this gestapo BS"

Or one could use the CEO's own software to find and publicize everything the CEO ever wrote on the internet...

[FlingWingFlyer]

“Hope and change” = fascism. “Yes We Can”.

[yup2394871293]

More corporate astrology and lawsuits galore.

[arderkrag]

Now THAT's an idea: "Ok, Mr. interviewer, you have screen captures of me "liking" the Tea Party. I have screen captures of you surfing really disgusting forms of porn. Now, do you want to play financial chicken, or do you want to give me this job and start kissing my butt now?"

Wonder how much they charge?

[no-to-illegals]

The goal appears to be to keep the truth from being told. I may be wrong in this assessment and the actual goal may be to only subjugate the entire population to a particular individual’s will and authority, and it has nothing to do with the truth being told. One thing noticed is opinions are not welcome in some parts of netland. Strange times.

[desertfreedom765]

This is one of the fruits of the job market being so bad.

Employers can pretty much do whatever they want to employees because in many cases the employee can’t leave.

Mandatory wellness programs, 24 hour support, etc are all in the future. (or present for some).