Privacy issus ... just why does a company need to know this!!! (letters, employment)

[twin.spin]

I'm in the process in applying for a teller job for a bank. They sent a email which requires the applicant to take "completing a required online assessment"...fine.

The link provided goes to a 3rd party web site, which states: (in part)


INFORMATION COLLECTED
We collect two kinds of information from you: non-personal information and personal information.

Non-personal information is information we collect through this Web Site that does not identify you by name or as an individual person. It may include information like:

• the type of web browser software your computer uses;
• pages your computer visited and date and time your computer accessed our pages;
• personal information that has been de-identified (cannot be linked back to an individual);
• the IP (internet protocol) address associated with your computer;

Cookies: We collect non-personal information from your computer's web browser.


Personal information is information we collect through this Web Site that we can use to specifically identify you.

• name, telephone number, and e-mail address
• social security number (if the company you are applying to requires this information)
• past employment history
• information you provide in online tests, including responses to test questions

For instance, we may use non-personal information to:

• create reports to develop programs, products, services or content,
• customize the information or services that are of interest to you, or
• share it with or sell it to third parties.

We may use personal information we collect from you through this Web Site:

• to respond to your requests, including your request to be evaluated for possible employment opportunities;
• to provide you with services that you request;
• to provide you access to PreVisor's services;
• to develop records, including records of your personal information;
• for analytical purposes and to research, develop and improve programs, products, services and content;
• to remove your personal identifiers (your name, e-mail address, social security number, etc). In this case, you would no longer be identified as a single unique individual. Once we have de-identified information, it is non-personal information and we may use and treat it like other non-personal information;
• contact you regarding any problems or questions we have relating to your use of the Web Site, or, in our discretion, notify you of changes to our Privacy Statement, Terms of Use or other policy or terms that affect you or your use of the Web Site;
• to enforce this Privacy Statement or the Terms of Use;
• to protect our rights or property;
• to protect someone's health, safety or welfare; or
• to comply with a law or regulation, court order or other legal process. to send you newsletters or promotional communications. You will be able to opt–out of this promotional communication by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the email.

__________________________________________________ _
Questions:
Just when did this become necessary in a pre-employment survey?

• "pages your computer visited" become a need to know
• the type of web browser software your computer uses
• the IP (internet protocol) address associated with your computer
• to develop records, including records of your personal information;
• to protect someone's health, safety or welfare; or
• to comply with a law or regulation, court order or other legal process.

Would you provide a third party all this for a possible job?

[kodaka]

Based on this:

For instance, we may use non-personal information to:
create reports to develop programs, products, services or content,
customize the information or services that are of interest to you, or
share it with or sell it to third parties.

and

to send you newsletters or promotional communications. You will be able to opt–out of this promotional communication by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the email.

My guess is, this third party charges the employer a lot less, if at all, for collecting your personal application data on their behalf. In exchange for this cut rate, the employer lets the third party use you and them to generate advertising revenue.

They will send you 'newsletters' which are really spam. They will use the collective results of applicant's browsing history to target frequently-visited websites in your industry for advertising their services.

At best, they will use the data to understand what kinds of software, hardware, and internet connections applicants are using so they can optimize their website or application wizards to those configurations, or troubleshoot bugs. But my guess is they aren't really so concerned with this aspect, or don't need your data to fix these problems. I think their primary goal is advertising.

[WillysB]

* the type of web browser software your computer uses;
* pages your computer visited and date and time your computer accessed our pages;
* personal information that has been de-identified (cannot be linked back to an individual);
* the IP (internet protocol) address associated with your computer;

Collection of that info is built into server operations. City-Data probly collects that info every time you land there, you don't even have to login. Most any website you visit will do the same. There just letting you know what info they can review.

[Charles]

What about filling those forms out from a public computer?

[Asheville Native]

Download any version of a Linux Live CD (most are) and boot from the CD. They all contain a browser, typically Firefox, and you can use it to complete the forms without revealing anything on your personal computer. That is about as sanitary of a computer you can use, without the hassle or hazard of using a public computer, where there may be tracks from the previous users attempt to look at some porn.

[artsyguy]

Sounds creepy and fishy. Does anyone else feel that way?

[SouthBound47]

Not at all. It's pretty normal. I've been through it, if you want the job, do it and never mention it to the company, if you don't care about the job, email HR and tell them that their system is lousy and invasive.

[artsyguy]

What exactly are they looking for? I'm not sure I understand the purpose and rational Southbound.