Employers, Bill Collectors, Police and Law Enforcement Agencies Are Using Facebook To Search Your Private Information
on July 11th, 2012 at 12:43 AMFacebook and other social media are becoming the most common tools that employers use to view their employees’ online or private activities. Is your privacy being violated? What can you do to prevent your private information from being shared without your consent?
Many companies have adjusted their Company Policies to include inappropriate activities on Facebook or other social media as company violations that may lead to termination of employment. Some companies are going as far as asking potential employees to provide access to their Facebook accounts as part of their security check process.
The Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies have been using Facebook and other social media to track down suspected criminals. With Facebook’s check in feature, it is now very easy to locate someone’s whereabouts.
Bill Collectors or Collection Agencies will set up generic Facebook accounts, so that they can search by people’s email address or name. If you did not adjust your privacy settings, they can go to the ‘Info’ section to verify telephone numbers, email addresses, business or employment information, to locate someone who may have been hiding or don’t want to be found.
Some believe that this is a violation of their privacy. Others believe that your online activities should be taken just as serious as your offline activities. With social media going viral, once the information or photo is shared, there will be no chance of stopping it.
So, what can someone do about protecting their online private information?
If may be a good idea to check the security or privacy settings on your Facebook account, so that you are aware what type of information is being accessed publically. Ensure you have grouped your friends, so that you have control over which group of friends may be allowed to view your information or status.
It may also be a good idea not adding your fellow co-workers or your manager as ‘friends’ to your Facebook account, especially when you have a poor attendance record and you love showing off your party pictures from your spontaneous trip to Las Vegas.
Bottom line: you are responsible for your actions and words, on and off line. If it’s inappropriate, it’s best not to link or post it on your social media profile.
Should you worry about your social media privacy?
Should you worry about your Facebook account?
Should you worry about your online activities?
You decide!
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