Is it standard practice for potential employers to ask for your social media usernames to do background checks?

[Thesage]

Just that really. I've been called for an interview and they've asked me for my usernames to do a social media and Google check. Is this allowed? And are there any legitimate grounds for me to refuse? They also asked for my dob on their application, which is not usual these days, so was wondering about the legitimacy about asking for SM usernames. I am more than happy for them to search me on Google, social media with my name , but I feel that asking for usernames is going a bit too far? It's more of a matter of principle than anything else. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

I certainly wouldn't be giving my username on Mumsnet or twitter, but I'd just pretend I was a technophobe who didn't use SM apart from fb/ linked in.

None of their business and I think it's z stupid idea as it would feel so.intrusive that as a candidate it may put me off them. And anyone with any dirt will hide it from them anyway.

Try having a job that requires UKSV clearance. They ask you for all your social media handles and everything else about your life, including, but not limited to, what sort of porn you watch and what your sexual appetites are.

Oh, and they already know it all anyway so no point lying.

These have been around for years and don't cost. What they can't do is guarantee that a username on a social network actually corresponds to a specific individual (they don't have access to personal details private to the accounts like email addresses).

If the OP supplies a username like "grottyrita" which they use on "twatter" and another grottyrita account has been created by someone else on the network "instantham" (there's no copyright on usernames, and they're often reused by others, usually just by coincidence) and this grottyrita says they enjoy bdsm and eating babies, then there is no way for the username crawler to know that they are different people behind the two grottyritas.
Personally I tell the prospective employer to "go forth and multiply", though possibly not in those words. Of course the OP might not have that luxury.

I did have a prospective US finance company who wanted me for a Java programming job insist on drug testing. I told them to get lost, not because I'd been taking cannabis (or anything stronger than aspirin), but because I didn't want to work in that sort of cultural environment.

For what sort of jobs are UKSV checks done?

Interesting. I have locked down Facebook and Instagram in my own name which I'd be happy for them to have as they wouldn't be able to see a thing. I then have a Twitter account which is my very common first name, no surname, no photo and not linked to my employer in any way whatsoever. I mostly use it to chat about parenting stuff but occasionally I'll put things on there that are opinion based and I wouldn't talk about with my boss - football, cringeworthy puns, feminism, and I also use it as a bit of a confessional from time to time (e.g. I tweeted when I was worried about returning from maternity leave because my mat cover was so awesome I was worried I'd look crap by comparison and got lots of support - but I wouldn't have wanted my boss to see that). I really, really wouldn't be happy handing that over to a potential employer. I don't lock it down because the community element is so important - much of the support around my maternity leave wobble was from strangers.

I'm not sexist/racist/homophobic/bullying or anything on there, and nothing would put the company in disrepute - but it'd be like handing over the keys to my little anonymous diary, and I don't think an employer has a right to see inside your head like that.

How would a computer programme, or a person, get the info please?

Yes OP it is a norm now. I know someone who was asked after interview, they said the offer was subject to them finding everything was okay (in their view).

Would that include MN username? 😂

Loads of jobs within the government, MOD, civil service type professions. Basically if you are going to be in a position to see sensitive information then they run vetting on you. And it's intrusive.

Why would they not ask for your dob on application form? Don't they need to know that the applicant is actually not a 14 year old?
Also nowadays don't you have to take ID to a job interview to prove your right to work?

@EmmaEmerald I have no clue how they actually do it, I’m not vey technical. A tech person did stitch the video and gave info. He said it can be done in just a few keystrokes and it basically reveals all your usernames and the posts you’ve made.

I was asked this once.

I only have facebook and instagram.

Facebook is set to totally private, I only have 25 friends (loser) and it’s under a different name (I use my middle name). I don’t even have profile or cover photos so you can’t see anything.

I do also have an instagram but again, private and I don’t have a single follower.

The person who asked for them was actually annoyed at me. I think they wanted a good nosey and were pissed off that they couldn’t.

Thanks

Really interested to hear if others have heard about this. No offence, Rah, is it possible you misunderstood?

What do you mean by finding all info about you including anonymous username?
How could anyone let’s say find what I post on MN? From my email address?

This is why I have fake profiles

from a fake email address?

And is it not cure toy against GDPR?

So using email addresses….

Is it not against GDPR?

And what stops you from giving potential employers an email address only used fur job hunting?

So glad I've never done social media

If it's an educational setting it's because the latest KCSIE document specifically says you should check online presence as part of safer recruitment. It's open to interpretation how you do this though.

This is becoming more common and is coming from the US I believe. You can either provide what they ask for, lie (don't have any when you do), or refuse. You don't have to provide this information. They don't have to give you a job.

Yay but that’s a very specific type if job where you know things will be examined right kept and centre.
Not your run of the mill job with a nozy boss who is hoping to get and idea of who you are but will only develop preconceived ideas….

Well, don't give them sexysusaninsouthampton or whatever, more Susans Gmail or whatever.

Use your noggin a bit

So using email addresses….

Is it not against GDPR? I'm not sure? I would think but you'd have to prove thats what they used

And what stops you from giving potential employers an email address only used fur job hunting?

exactly, I have an email account I used for twitter and Facebook, mn and personal stuff, Christmas cards etc

then I have my email address I use for everything else, its my day to day stuff and would use for official stuff, like applying for a job.

I hate and don’t use social media so where would I or many if the other people like me stand in this situation? madness to assume everyone uses it or should tell you if they do. Complete invasion of privacy.

Just tell them you don’t use it.

I have one openly me twitter account for work-related stuff/professional networking/knowledge sharing etc... that one I was known under before I even started my job (my profession is a small world and apparently I'd been marked out as a recruiting target before I even finished 2nd year of my degree). Both my big boss and immediate line manager follow me on there and, while we are generally a kick arse team, there's also a fair bit of mutual joking and piss taking goes on. I have another twitter mainly for bitching at shite companies that they don't know about (wouldn't really matter if they did to be fair).

FB - I don't tend to come up in searches, and it's locked down privacy wise anyway.