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[forum admin]

Job candidates should be warned if social networking sites are being used as part of the recruitment and screening process, according to Adrian Marlowe at legal consultancy Lawspeed.

Speaking at ‘Social Media in Recruitment’, an event organised by online recruitment marketing consultancy Web Based Recruitment, Marlowe told delegates that the Data Protection Act 1998 rules on best practice requires recruiters to inform candidates when reviewing such sites and are going to rely on such information in the screening process as well as explaining any negative decision and allow the candidate to defend their position.

Marlowe said: “Be cautious about information solely on information sites, it is dangerous. It could well be unreliable. If you rely on information that is unreliable, you could be in deep water.”

[Gota]

I agree they certainly should. Otherwise I think it's a little deceptive of the organisation you're applying to work for. Almost like spying on the prospective employee.

[Bob]

I don't think it's any of their business.