Posted on Mar 19, 2014
What are your thoughts about your "Social Media" activities being a part of your background check for a clearance?
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<p>Despite the privacy concerns, “the potential value of social media for clearance
assessment cannot be ignored, and should be evaluated further,” the report said. Read the entire article...</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20140319/NEWS05/303190050?sf24043856=1</p><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://www.militarytimes.com/graphics/ody/alticon.png"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a href="http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20140319/NEWS05/303190050?sf24043856=1" target="_blank">Report: Social media relevant to background checks</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">
The Defense Department should consider reviewing the social media accounts of applicants as part of background checks for security clearances, according to a recent Pentagon report.
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assessment cannot be ignored, and should be evaluated further,” the report said. Read the entire article...</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20140319/NEWS05/303190050?sf24043856=1</p><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://www.militarytimes.com/graphics/ody/alticon.png"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a href="http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20140319/NEWS05/303190050?sf24043856=1" target="_blank">Report: Social media relevant to background checks</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">
The Defense Department should consider reviewing the social media accounts of applicants as part of background checks for security clearances, according to a recent Pentagon report.
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Security Clearance
Social Media
Background Check
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 20
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That a new one for me Sir, that's me being so old now. But in my days, all they did was check if you had a police record, and that I did, still enlisted.
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1SG Steven Stankovich
I posted this question about three years ago. I never did conduct any follow-up to see if any on-line searching is included in background checks. I do remember the good old days as well...no police record...no problem.
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Since the kids seem to post everything up to bowel movements on social media, and the fruit cakes announce their insane plans as well- it seems to be a solid idea.
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This is why I make sure I'm extremely careful about what I post. I try to keep my anti-Trump posts... moderately inflammatory.
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It needs to be included. The info would support data that is already collected. Down side is the clearances would cost more and take longer. But hey, it’s a national security issue- so they say.
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As bad as it sounds they can only see what the public sees. If you want them to see your facebook then open it up. If you don't then take a little time and go through and secure your page. In all honestly im glad they blasted this out. Hopefully people will realize how easy it is to social engineer with just someones facebook. If your not sure how to secure your facebook then go see if someone in your S6 can help. You might have a Cyber officer or even a cyber specialist who can help you out.
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I feel that it should be a part of the background checks. For some reason when it comes to Social Media people think that its ok to say anything about anyone or post a comment about a belief in something and a lot are negative. It goes to show ones true character.
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Actually I think this social media stuff is like a diary. Oh sure, you can specify who you want to see it but as far as employers, it is none of their darn business. I find it creepy and should be protected from jerk employers who have nothing better to do than snoop.
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CPT (Join to see)
You contradict your own argument here SSgt Olson. If a person takes the time to enact the filters so that people can't see their account, they are demonstrating a level of self control that should be considered a 'plus' by the background check investigators and it does make your social media account more "like a diary". BUT, very few people bother changing the privacy settings. They seem to WANT to tell the world about every nimrod thought that runs through their heads.
I do not believe that any of the proposed checks would be invasive, i.e. they will only see what you allow them to see and, as has been mentioned here, anything posted on an unblocked social media account is PUBLIC PROPERTY and there should be no expectation of privacy! Complaining about people looking at what you have posted on an unfiltered Facebook page is like complaining that people are staring at your butt after you run onto the field naked in a packed stadium.
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PFC Ian Catto
I fully agree, as an Army veteran and veteran civilian police officer, I can attest that too many people think they have a first amendment right to post anything to social media regardless of law. I certainly believe that as a volunteer member of the US military you have no reasonable expectation of privacy, especially if they are conducting a security clearance check. I remember for mine in 1982, I had to list every person I had known for at least 12 months over the past 10 years. Imagine having to remember everyone you were friends with since you were 7 years old. I got calls from people I hadn't seen in several years saying they just received a call in the background investigation. In civilian life, no I don't think a private employer that isn't involved in government work (ie walmart or such) should not be able to require you to give them access to your social media accounts therefore if you secure them, they can't look into your business.
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CPT (Join to see)
Good points PFC Catto. Saying that social media is like a diary would only work if you published your diary on billboards over a busy highway! LOL
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Social media is part of who the person is and is often public.
Any information that is available publicly on social media is a MUST for consideration during a background check.
If you conduct a social engineering experiment on them or their network...that's a little more gray, but I wouldn't object to it.
If you are trying to break encryption on a social media site to see their private messages...well, that is a different story.
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MAJ (Join to see)
As described in the article...I think it is a great idea. Plus, we might be able to get Soldiers to adjust the filter between their--whatever body part their ideas come from--to their fingers.
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There are a lot of people who will post their life stories on social media sites (FB, Twitter, etc.) but there are also people who will either post only their "best face" or try to masquerade to be something that they're not to increase their social status and how they appear. I think making social media a part of background checks can tip the balance in exposing any possible red flags or proving who a person truely is. However the generations who are growing up with this type of social access, as well as others, haven't learned any form of self-control on what to post and how it may be perceived, which MSG Davis just hit on.
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The only way social media will hurt you on a background check is if you don't know how to use it correctly.
Set all of your albums, posts, etc.. to "Friends Only", now log out and look at your page. No one you don't approve of can see your profile.
Lets say you're scared there's someone on your friends list, or a couple people, who you suspect may use social media against you, (i.e. SNCO's, Soldiers who snitch to NCO's, etc...) put them in a custom group, then block the group from viewing the posts/pics you want the rest of your friends to see.
Another basic way to hide yourself from all of this is to simply not use your name on Facebook. Example, lets say your name is Joseph Rodriguez, Set your profile name to "Joey Rod".
Set all of your albums, posts, etc.. to "Friends Only", now log out and look at your page. No one you don't approve of can see your profile.
Lets say you're scared there's someone on your friends list, or a couple people, who you suspect may use social media against you, (i.e. SNCO's, Soldiers who snitch to NCO's, etc...) put them in a custom group, then block the group from viewing the posts/pics you want the rest of your friends to see.
Another basic way to hide yourself from all of this is to simply not use your name on Facebook. Example, lets say your name is Joseph Rodriguez, Set your profile name to "Joey Rod".
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