Want a security clearance? Feds will now check your Facebook and Twitter first

a reply to: ColdWisdom

You're missing the point.

They aren't "coming out" with it now. They've never hidden it. Ever.

Even private industry has had God knows how many articles written about employers using social media checks on employees and applicants alike.

Maybe the media outlet that wrote the article has stock in Facebook. But the government has never hidden the fact that they check social media for cleared people and even uncleared folks.

a reply to: Vector99

Better than that moral gavel big bang that would rather see them rot in a hospital room draining all the families finances that no one goes to visit any more cause life and too depressing... tat then take that faith and belief and pray for their death... likely the same way they do being left to die alone.

At least people cared in your senario... aside from nurses or doctors that actually care in the other one I pointed at, where they embrace the care part in the word healthcare...

a reply to: Halfswede

Eh I had topsecret clearance for a company I worked for doing engineering a few years ago... it made no sense at first all the security going in for an interview... but there was a public half owned in part by the Hilton family and a private not for public half owned by the government. You know how adult bookstores in moralton must appear as a newspaper stand or some other front? Theres government stuff doing the same thing.

originally posted by: syrinx high priest
I bet they outsource that job to china

No, but they DO outsource it. Private companies contract with the government to perform security clearance checks. And though my personal experience is clearly anecdotal, they do a piss-poor job of it, too. One of my children was involved in working indirectly for the NSA as part of her military duties. She was a "cryptologic technician" involved in evesdropping in foreign countries. The group listened in on cell phone conversations of insurgent groups in the Middle East--pretty common-sense stuff you would expect. As her father I was involved when she first "earned" her top secret clearance, and later on when it was renewed. The first time through was no bog deal. I've been through a secret clearance myself, and the gum shoes followed standard procedure.

The second time through was weird. A woman called and made an appointment. She came over and began asking questions, such as, "Is your daughter financially stable?" Stuff like that. She wasn't, but I lied through my teeth. Then the woman hurridly ended the interview because she was afraid of my dog, a very friendly cocker spaniel. The interview was a joke. Of course, even talking to me in the first place was a joke because of my obvious bias, but I couldn't help thinking that of the government entrusted security investigations to people like this woman, they couldn't possibly be doing a thorough job of it.

I don't have a problem at all with security checking Facebook and the like. If people are so stupid to post pics of their drunken drug-filled orgies on Facebook, I would want that known to the authorities. It shows a lack of character and is a good reason to deny them a clearance.

originally posted by: BigBrotherDarkness
a reply to: Vector99

Better than that moral gavel big bang that would rather see them rot in a hospital room draining all the families finances that no one goes to visit any more cause life and too depressing... tat then take that faith and belief and pray for their death... likely the same way they do being left to die alone.

At least people cared in your senario... aside from nurses or doctors that actually care in the other one I pointed at, where they embrace the care part in the word healthcare...

You took that to the dark side...yikes.

a reply to: Vector99

but thats called reality for many many people... I simply tell it like it is without all the flowery. A lot of life is ugly but it doesnt have to be, especially when people arnt ignorant to such things and think wow does that need a change... and then an effort to make it better from wanting to make peoples lives better and happiness increases and people left not aware of such things? Does no one any favors.

Thats realism thats the dirt and grit of this world that doesnt get cleaned up when its just swept under a rug.

a reply to: ColdWisdom

Huh.. we cant check social media of people wanting to be US citizens...

/shakes head
/facepalm

originally posted by: AmericanRealist
a reply to: ColdWisdom

Did they mention what the procedure was for those of us who have neither, and never have? I hope not having a public life invader does not disqualify me.

Then they speak to people that know you in real life, just like always.

originally posted by: BigBrotherDarkness
if you dont have any are they gonna deem you cray cray? I recall reading a couple of years ago that avoidance of such was being conflagerated as some sort of mental disorder like falling under the antisocial personality disorder spectrum.

Probably. Would you hire someone whose a recluse? It's like credit, you have to have some and manage it.

a reply to: Aazadan

What if this recluse was the most qualified person for the job? Complete with a full resume and contact info from previous employers?

Sounds like a good idea to me. People put way too much # about themselves on the Internet. If you put it out there for the public to see then why shouldn't the fed look at it. If you don't want the fed to look at it then don't put it out there. Way too many dumbass trolls on the Internet doing whatever they want and saying whatever offensive things they want. Maybe you should of thought better and made wiser decisions when applying for security clearance. There are enough bad decisions made by people with security clearance..this only helps weed out more of those people before they can cause damage.

originally posted by: ColdWisdom
a reply to: Aazadan

What if this recluse was the most qualified person for the job? Complete with a full resume and contact info from previous employers?

I find it hard to believe someone who can't be evaluated socially is the best candidate for a job. It's not just what you post, it's also things like who you're friends with and what they post. Additionally, things you've posted under various screen names and so on.

a reply to: Aazadan

What do you mean can't be evaluated socially? What did people do before there was social media?

This all depends on the type of job, also. But my point is it is still possible to get a job without social media.

originally posted by: ColdWisdom
What do you mean can't be evaluated socially? What did people do before there was social media?

Ask Joe McCarthy...

I think it would be easier to investigate things, like social media, before reopening his methods.

originally posted by: ColdWisdom
This all depends on the type of job, also. But my point is it is still possible to get a job without social media.

and easier to get into the US after declaring your allegiance to ISIS for all to see, except for the people doing the investigation. By investigation im referring to the bloodbath after they went on a killing spree in the name of ISIS.


Anyone is free to associate with whomever they want. If you want a job they have the right to look and see if you are a fit for their company or if your a fit for eventual prison time. Its your choice to provide requested info and its their choice to not hire you.

originally posted by: ColdWisdom
a reply to: Aazadan

What do you mean can't be evaluated socially? What did people do before there was social media?

This all depends on the type of job, also. But my point is it is still possible to get a job without social media.

Before social media, people who didn't use the phone were considered weirdo's and not the odd sort of people you would prefer to hire.

a reply to: DerBeobachter

It would work in your favour.

The secret may be to have more than one account if you have to use social media ,
Plausible deniability and all that jazz the social platforms are being used to check who are claiming benefits from the Government while living with someone not stated , Who is selling what not just for security reasons but really mundane stuff

a reply to: ColdWisdom

wow facebook and twitter using them for jobs? well I guess anything you post if public should be made public

a reply to: ColdWisdom

Do you know how much investigation goes into a security clearance? Not a NACI, but a real security clearance? We're talking in person, one-on-one interviews with your friends and relatives. Checking your Facebook is nothing. Those investigators dig during the process of making a decision on issuing a security clearance. Social media, financials, job history, complete background, etc.

Then, when they've gathered all the information needed, they develop a list of questions and they interview the candidate for a clearance, bringing all of it up and assess the reactions and answers the candidate gives.

The majority of the Federal workforce does not have an actual security clearance. They have an NACI clearance, which is not the same thing.

"The National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) is a background investigation primarily for federal employees who will not have access to classified information. This investigation is appropriate for positions designated as public trust positions that require responsible and trustworthy employees, but with no national security impact."