A recent change in Glassdoor’s system could potentially put targets on employees who use its website to anonymously leave a bad review about an employer.
A user of the platform, who used the pseudonym "Monica", has flagged in a blog post that Glassdoor is now requiring users to add their real names to their accounts and will do so without the users’ permission.
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“Glassdoor now requires your real name and will add it to older accounts without your consent if they learn it, and your only option is to delete your account,” she wrote. “They do not care that this puts people at risk with their employers. They do not care that this seems to run counter to their own data-privacy policies.”
Monica claimed in the post that when she created her Glassdoor account 10 years ago, it was only required for her to provide an email address. She then said that after she recently reached out to Glassdoor’s support team for an “account-related issue,” she responded to an email from the company regarding the issue which she claims was a “big mistake.”
“After I responded to that support email last week, I found that they had updated my profile to add my real name and location, the name pulled from the email "From" line I didn't think to cloak because who does that?” she wrote. “I never gave consent for that change, and said so explicitly when I objected.”
She claimed that when she contacted Glassdoor’s support team regarding the issue, it informed her that Glassdoor users now automatically receive Fishbowl accounts, which is a networking app for professionals, and that the app requires users to identify themselves. The team also told her that it could not edit her name out of her profile and that the only option was for her to delete her Glassdoor account altogether.
She then informed the team that she plans to delete her account and asked if it can hide her name from her Glassdoor profile in the meantime. A manager from the team responded by saying that they are unable to fulfill her request and that the matter is “closed.”
“If you are not willing to allow your name on your profile, you will again need to complete Data erasure once you are able to,” read the email from the manager. “However, we cannot remove this for you or make the changes you wish to see for your name. This is my final determination. I, as well as multiple members of my team, have reviewed your request several times, and I am considering this matter closed.”
Glassdoor did not immediately respond to TheStreet’s request for comment.
Glassdoor quietly makes a few updates to its policies
Glassdoor updated its privacy policy on July 27, 2023, shortly after it integrated some of Fishbowl's features into its platform.
“We may update your Profile with information we obtain from third parties,” reads Glassdoor’s privacy policy. “We may also use personal data you provide to us via your resume(s) or our other services.”
The company also claims in the policy that it “may attempt to verify your employment history or status through various methods, including third party integrations or services.” It also states that portions of a users’ profile “may be visible to other users and the public” which can include their name and profile picture.
Glassdoor also recently updated its terms of use on Feb. 17. Under the “Anonymity And Identity On Glassdoor” section, it claims that your anonymity on its website is not always guaranteed.
“A portion of your Profile on our community and conversation services (e.g., Fishbowl and community and conversation features across our services) is always public,” reads the policy. “Therefore, your profile picture, company name, title, and other general information (but not including your semi-/anonymous Content submissions) will be visible to the public and available via search.”
Glassdoor users delete their accounts
A plethora of Glassdoor users who spotted Monica’s blog post claimed that they are now deleting their accounts on the platform. One user in a blog post even claimed that after they deleted their account, they received an email from Glassdor confirming the change, but were informed that the company will still “keep any information” in their archives.
“This morning, I was greeted with the email ‘Your Glassdoor Personal Data Has Been Deleted’, which is all good, except this second paragraph: Please note, however, that despite your request to delete data, we reserve the right to keep any information in our archives that we deem necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce our agreements, and exercise the right of freedom of expression and information. We will also keep a record of your request for legal and compliance purposes,” wrote the user.
