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Federal News Radio
You posted a
picture of your what on Facebook?
By Mike Causey
May 31, 2016
Years ago in my first full-time job, our company got its own copying
machines. One for each floor. It was like Gutenberg’s printing press on
steroids. We were in awe. I’m pretty sure they were Xerox machines. At
least, that’s what we called them. Anyhow, we were thrilled that such
newfangled equipment was available to the likes of us.
The copying machines seemed to run night and day (it was a 24/7
operation). There was nearly always a line at the copying machine. And
we copied everything. I mean everything. It was my generation’s selfie,
but without the internet to spread whatever we were copying to the four
corners of the Earth.
We copied everything, included driver’s licenses, work schedules,
photos. Everything.
I mean, according to the rumor mill, everything. Especially the night
shift gang. They had more time on their hands, less supervision — plus
it was dark outside.
To test the rumors about what was being copied, I waited until one
afternoon when there was only one person at the copying machine. He
appeared to be copying a telephone bill. I didn’t know him well. I got
in line and when he looked to see what was behind him, I said: “I heard
the company gets a copy of everything that is copied on this machine.”
Long pause, then…
He turned gray, then ivory white. He looked like he was going to faint.
“Everything?” he asked. “How do they do it?”
I told him I didn’t know, but that the copying machine was probably
capable of making a second copy of whatever was being copied. Maybe it
was stored for the big boss to check as his leisure.
I never saw him at the copying machine again. He left a few months
later.
Fast-forward to you, now!
The Obama administration has directed that publicly available postings
on social media will soon become part of background checks Uncle Sam
makes on federal workers seeking first-time or renewed security
clearances. Makes sense moving with the times. Many major employers
already do it as a matter of course. So what have you posted for your
friends, the general public or Chinese hackers to see? And maybe use
against you? Or as the basis of whether to hire, keep or fire you?
Social media is now fair game for anybody who cares to check out your
profile. Or maybe a photo or comment — about you — that a “friend” has
posted on his or her Facebook page. Or sent around the world by other
means. People are finding jobs — and losing them — on the internet. No
one is immune from problems with social media. Former Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton is under fire for her emails. Hulk Hogan, famous
for being Hulk Hogan, is also in the news because of some tapes that
went viral.
Nobody is safe. So think before you post. Your career could be at stake.
Read this and other articles at Federal News Radio
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