Internet Searches for Vetting, Investigations, and Open-Source Intelligence

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Implications for the Enterprise

Surveys, media reports, and quotes from some employers suggest that

because of online misbehavior, Internet searches are being added to pre-

hiring background investigations.

1

However, the media reports appear

to indicate that most private and public sector employers lack several

key ingredients necessary for fair, legal, and appropriate use of Internet

searching for hiring adjudications, including a written policy, proce-

dures, search methodology, adjudication methods, notice to applicants,

consent (as currently used for background investigation interviews with

prior employers or schools), and an opportunity to correct adverse nd-

ings.

2

These and certain other procedures would ...