Many of us use social media platforms to express our ideas,
experiences, and views. Social media has become an essential part of our
everyday lives. However, as social media usage rises, users' worries about
privacy and the possibility that their employers might access their personal
social media accounts are also rising.
Are Deleted Social Media Accounts Still Visible to
Employers?
The simple answer is yes, employers may still be able to
locate erased social network accounts. The social media platform records
information on users' activities, such as their IP address, location, and
device details, when they register a social media account. Even when a person
deletes their account, the platform could keep this information for a while.
Additionally, even after the user's account is deleted, other users might have
shared or taken screenshots of the user's content, making it still available.
Employers get access to this data via a variety of channels,
including forensic analysis, third-party data brokers, and social media
monitoring programs. Some businesses could also require workers to provide
access to their social media accounts or to sign a release granting the
employer access to their personal information on social media.
Users Can Take These Steps to Protect Their Privacy
Employers may still be able to locate deleted social media
accounts, but individuals may take precautions to preserve their privacy and
restrict the data that is available to their employer. The following advice can
help you maintain your privacy:
Use privacy settings: The majority of social networking
sites let users manage the privacy settings for their posts and profile
information. Users should evaluate and modify these settings to restrict the
data that is available to their employer.
Avoid publishing contentious Content: Users should use
caution when publishing anything that can be seen as contentious or
disrespectful. Employers may use this information to determine whether a worker
is qualified for a position or a promotion.
Users should refrain from accessing social media accounts
using the devices or networks provided by their employers. By doing this, the
employer may have access to their social media activity and data.
Delete Old Accounts: Users who no longer utilize their old
social media accounts should think about deleting them. This may decrease the
possibility of online abuse or cyberbullying and lower the quantity of data
that is available to their employer.
Be Wary of Who You Connect With: Users should exercise
caution when accepting friend requests from persons they don't know on social
media. These links might be used by data brokers or hackers to acquire personal
data.