Several months ago during a Q & A session at the Greater Orlando Area Meeting Planner’s International monthly meeting, I shared my thoughts that there really was no way to keep one social media private and utilize the others for business based on the speed at which social media was growing. This revelation strongly differed with what I believed just short of a year prior, when I heard Murray Izenwasser a social media strategist with Biztegra speak for the SITE Florida in Orlando. I remember actually arguing the point with him and saying that I was keeping my Facebook just for my personal use.
Fast forward to today, in the news I hear that a term called “shoulder surfing” has become rather prevalent during the hiring practices. I think I’ve seen half a dozen interviews on the news where candidates are talking about being asked to login to their Facebook accounts so that the hiring manager can see what’s on their timeline.
Facebook is screaming that their privacy policy protects its users. Their official statement about shoulder surfing says, “This practice undermines the privacy expectations and the security of both the user and the user’s friends…As a user; you shouldn’t be forced to share your private information and communications just to get a job.”
Facebook has now made it a violation of their Statement of Rights and Responsibilities for you to share your password.
As a recruiter, I must confess to reviewing candidates Facebook profiles along with their presence on a number of other social media channels. In fact, I often use Facebook as a way to reach potential candidates through a channel that most people view as private. I look at it as calling someone at home versus calling them at work.
Last year, “the Federal Trade Commission gave their stamp of approval to a background check company that screens job applicants based on their Internet photos and postings”, according to an article on Forbes.com. This stamp was not the same as a potential employer asking you for your password as part of the screening or hiring process. It basically said if it’s in public domain we are going to look at it.
So what now?
I share this information with you for three reasons:
1) Reminding you that social media is a good thing; it could help me find you for an opportunity of a lifetime. Use it wisely.
2) Update your privacy settings on a regular basis to ensure that what you want to remain private is private.
3) Voting in an election isn’t the only time to stand up and be heard. Contact your legislator and ensure that you get to continue to make a choice as to whether or not to share your access.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic, as always comments are encouraged and welcomed.
