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.
</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>
Security Clearance
Social Media
Background Check
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 20
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Call me stupid, but I actually thought it was part of the investigation. It is a great idea. You can tell so much about someone with what they post. I have friends that post questionable things (luckily none of them are active duty) that would raise major red flags if they were going for a clearance. I feel time and money can be saved if that is one of the first things checked. I find it hilarious when underage persons post pictures of them drinking. That might point to a problem. Many Soldiers are not the brightest, and many issues can be caught early on. People reveal a lot about lifestyle, extremist views, dissatisfaction with the government, differing allegiances as well as criminal activity on their sites, in an effort to look cool.
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SFC William H.
and the government is listening. It will come. If social media becomes a requirement for immigration, it will be used for clearances. I only wish I had that tool when I was on AD.
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I have mixed feelings about this.
In one hand it's my private life. I don't want the government knowing what I decided to post at 0230 after I got back from the bar with the guys. The least the government knows about me and my private life the better and safer I feel. All my personal social profiles are more or less on lock down. You can't see anything unless you are a direct friend of mine. I have to approve every tagged photo, comment, status etc, before it's linked to me.
On the other hand I realize when you go through the process of applying for a security clearance you are willfully allowing the government to go through your private life, social media included. As long as that is as far as it goes.
I saw someone post above that they think our CoC should be monitoring our social media use. To this I say, No. Absolutely not. It's my life. My circle of friends. They don't need to know about anything we do, unless it has some affect on my performance with in the Army.
In one hand it's my private life. I don't want the government knowing what I decided to post at 0230 after I got back from the bar with the guys. The least the government knows about me and my private life the better and safer I feel. All my personal social profiles are more or less on lock down. You can't see anything unless you are a direct friend of mine. I have to approve every tagged photo, comment, status etc, before it's linked to me.
On the other hand I realize when you go through the process of applying for a security clearance you are willfully allowing the government to go through your private life, social media included. As long as that is as far as it goes.
I saw someone post above that they think our CoC should be monitoring our social media use. To this I say, No. Absolutely not. It's my life. My circle of friends. They don't need to know about anything we do, unless it has some affect on my performance with in the Army.
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Suspended Profile
Simply do not post something you do not want publicly seen, heard, or talked about. All problems solved. Those worried are probably doing something wrong to begin with (not indicating you are). Just a general blanket statement.
CW2 (Join to see)
<p>It doesn't matter if you are deployed or comming home from the bar at 0230 what you post is public. If you have your setting on your social media networks set correctly then nobody else can see right? Wrong. I dont know how many time someones page is hacked. It has happened to members of my family and then my information is public for whoever to see. I am not going to say I dont use social media, I think its a great way to stay connected. I dont use it for professional correspondance so all my posts are personnel beliefs and if there is somthing that I have to say or want people to know I will post if. If there is somthing that you dont want somebody to know then dont post it. Once its on the web its open game. </p><p>If I was an employer and you applied to work for me thats the first thing I would do is google your name. Its competitive these days to get jobs and there are alot of over qualified applicants for these positions. Social media is a good way to learn about people before you waste time and money to see if they are the right person for your business. </p><p> </p>
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SGT (Join to see)
I use TwoFactorAuth on the majority of my accounts that allow it. In order for me to log in I have to enter my password. Then enter a code that was either texted to or generated on my phone. I use different passwords for my phone FB app and my online login. So I'm not necessarily worried about getting my account hacked.
You did bring up a good point on family and friend's FB getting hacked though. We really have no control over their security preferences, which is why I don't use FB as an online diary. I'm like you in the way I keep my professional and personal life separated on social media. I don't turn private matters into a public forum.
You did bring up a good point on family and friend's FB getting hacked though. We really have no control over their security preferences, which is why I don't use FB as an online diary. I'm like you in the way I keep my professional and personal life separated on social media. I don't turn private matters into a public forum.
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I think it's a good tool to gauge who someone REALLY is...especially in this age.<br><br>Also, social media background checks are already happening in corporate America and during law enforcement screenings (my brother is a Sheriff's Deputy and interviews potential candidates)
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