As a current student, I am well aware of the need to monitor my online presence so that when I apply to internships/jobs, nothing surfaces that would negatively affect my application for employment.  A few weeks ago, the FTC approved Social Intelligence, a social media background check company, to compile up to 7 years of social media information on a person and still be in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.  After reading about this ruling, I quickly tried to remember when I first signed up for Facebook and what could be discovered.

Social Intelligence collects up to 7 years of data on an individual, but does not store information into a database.  Also, the potential employee must consent to the search before it can be completed.  When Social Intelligence researches a consented potential employee; the most recent data (7 years’ worth) is audited and provided to the employer.   The search can include any public information from Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, and blogs; basically anything tagged/posted in the online domain that can be traced back to you.  Therefore any wall post, Facebook group, tweet, photo or blog entry can be scanned for information that could cause you to fail a social media background check.

There are a few interesting details that are incorporated into a Social Intelligence background check.  First, race and gender information is not provided to the employer.  Even if incriminating photos are found, your race and gender will not be identifiable.   Second, Social Intelligence is not looking for the photo of you inebriated and twirling your shirt over your head.  In fact, that picture will not cause a “fail” rating, but a discriminatory or sexually explicit photo will.

Since the FTC approved Social Intelligence, employers that utilize Social Intelligence for a social media background check helps these employers avoid discrimination suits and privacy issues that could arise from “Google-ing” an applicant.  This decision also further emphasizes the importance of maintaining a proper online presence.  No one wants an offhand status update from six years ago affecting their ability to obtain a dream job.  Would you pass your social media background check?