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I should probably say that my experience of internet-stalking people is limited to, like: How do I figure out who owns the abandoned funeral home on the street corner? And how do I contact them? Because you can't call the police in Philadelphia (true story) to report a noise violation, and the fire alarm that's been going off for 24 hours straight has been driving everyone on the block insane.
ETA: You may be thinking that, if the funeral home is abandoned, why didn't I just go inside and turn off the fire alarm myself. The answer is that I have seen horror movies, and I know how that story ends. Thanks for asking.
Also, when I worked at a public university, formal background checks were part of the portfolio of candidate information I was given as a member of various hiring committees. We did our best not to look at this information, but its inclusion was required by state law.
Regardless, despite my limited experience, my one piece of advice to anyone who wants to protect their privacy online is don't put your age on any social media profiles, especially not in the United States or Canada. Your age will link you to medical and educational records, and that's how they get you.
ETA: You may be thinking that, if the funeral home is abandoned, why didn't I just go inside and turn off the fire alarm myself. The answer is that I have seen horror movies, and I know how that story ends. Thanks for asking.
Also, when I worked at a public university, formal background checks were part of the portfolio of candidate information I was given as a member of various hiring committees. We did our best not to look at this information, but its inclusion was required by state law.
Regardless, despite my limited experience, my one piece of advice to anyone who wants to protect their privacy online is don't put your age on any social media profiles, especially not in the United States or Canada. Your age will link you to medical and educational records, and that's how they get you.