Do we have the right?

[ImaginaryIllusion]

Originally Posted by Tonberry

Until it reached the end, I thought you were arguing that doing a background check on someone behind their back was the same as all your examples (as in, just because it's there doesn't mean you should take it), but then I realised the were reasons why you think background checks should be done.

Tonberry, I have to agree, I was thinking the same thing when I was initially reading that post.

I take privacy very seriously, not having much of it in some aspects of my life. Both in aspects of what information governments and corporations have any business collecting, and how much of my life has anything to do with private noses...and how much they really need to mind their own $%^&*ng business rather than mine.

I do suspect there will be some heavy cultural differences, and no problems for some people to justify whatever they figure they're entitled to regardless of any notion of respect for others, privacy, or the societal consequences at large. What kind of life remains if every dipshit zealously righteous neighbor on the block is able to run his own gestapo search of your private affairs in the name of 'safety' or whatever the flavour excuse of the week is? To me it is beyond Orwellian.

I would view this kind of action as a total invasion of privacy...(of course the laws north of the border are far more protective of this kind of information, requiring the individuals consent for such searches to be conducted) It really would be analogous to someone breaking and entering into my home to snoop around the medicine cabinet, financial records, etc.

As far as I'm concerned, rather than the paranoia of going behind someone's back to dig up dirt on them, I'd far rather take the time to get to know the person. And to take the proper time and precautions to allow them into my life as quickly or as slowly as respect, trust and reciprocation may allow. I don't mind bringing friends into my home, and see what I'm about. And those who make it past the threshold I trust to respect my space and not go snooping through the filing cabinet where they don't belong.

I have been burned by this in the past. I've had friends steal from me. Friends who I trusted for years. Criminal and background checks would not have warned me of it, or stopped it from happening. But I would far rather be disappointed by a couple of individuals than live my life under a magnifying glass of the random mob of strangers around me.

ETA:
The short answer (imho) as to whether anyone has the right, is No! It's in the realm of "just because you can, doesn't mean you should."

[TL4everu2]

I disagree. I have the RIGHT to protect myself, as well as my family. Hell, IMO, I have the RIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITY to do so. Doing a background check on someone, whether behind their back or upfront, is simple preparedness and protection. It's what you do with the info, that gets you in trouble. LOL

[SNeacail]

After all the horror stories I have heard of women meeting up with strange men they have met "online", I am truly amazed that so many people would do NOTHING to check these people out and actually find it offensive.

Would you guys seriously allow your daughters to meet up with someone they met online without even doing an internet search (google search) and see if this person is on the sexual preditors list?

[Derbylicious]

Originally Posted by SNeacail

After all the horror stories I have heard of women meeting up with strange men they have met "online", I am truly amazed that so many people would do NOTHING to check these people out and actually find it offensive.

Would you guys seriously allow your daughters to meet up with someone they met online without even doing an internet search (google search) and see if this person is on the sexual preditors list?

In Canada, as far as I know, only the police have access to the sexual offender database. This might be where the difference in what some of us are comfortable with. In Canada a lot of things aren't publicly available. That might be why a lot of us are uncomfortable with these kinds of searches being done on us (and why we wouldn't think of doing similar searches on others).

[Ariakas]

Originally Posted by SNeacail

After all the horror stories I have heard of women meeting up with strange men they have met "online", I am truly amazed that so many people would do NOTHING to check these people out and actually find it offensive.

Would you guys seriously allow your daughters to meet up with someone they met online without even doing an internet search (google search) and see if this person is on the sexual preditors list?

Daughter.. Well maybe not. Then again how do you stop things like fb. I used to go hang out and meet new people. No harm no foul. But with daughters there is a level of protection implied.

My partners and possible partners are adult women. I would hope this kind of protection isn't needed. I would trust their judgement. And in fact, would even peep. Not my place. A "are you sute this is safe" should suffice...

The number of pervs in the world is less than normalcy (in fact the ratio is very tiny I bet). Not a fan of catoring to the fear mongering here.

And ditto to what derby said.

[MindfulAgony]

A criminal record is public for a reason in the US. If you have a criminal record, it is not private information (unless, of course, the record has been sealed by a court). Therefore, I can't see it any differently than someond doing a Google/Bing search.

Someone collecting private information (which some - very expensive - background checks do) on you is another matter altogether and should looked on dimly and, in certain cases, is against US law.

I don't really get why someone would think a criminal records check would be invasive. However, I do understand why someone convicted of a crime is embarrased by it. Searching public records just doesn't rank for me as an invasion of privacy.

Your cultural mindset may vary....

[NeonKaos]

Originally Posted by MindfulAgony

Searching public records just doesn't rank for me as an invasion of privacy.

Me neither. That would be like saying that looking in the phone book or going to the Registry of Deeds is an invasion of privacy. Some people may not LIKE it that these avenues are available, but um, maybe you should have thought of that before you did whatever it was you did that got you convicted. Yo?

[Tonberry]

Originally Posted by SNeacail

After all the horror stories I have heard of women meeting up with strange men they have met "online", I am truly amazed that so many people would do NOTHING to check these people out and actually find it offensive.

Would you guys seriously allow your daughters to meet up with someone they met online without even doing an internet search (google search) and see if this person is on the sexual preditors list?

I wouldn't even have thought of doing that.
On the other hand, I would insist she goes with a friend and meet in a public place while she gets to know that person better. I think you can protect yourself without going into others' privacies. It's like wearing a bulletproof jacket in case someone has a weapon vs breaking into their home to check if they have one.

Just because you don't do a check as a first reflex doesn't mean you assume everything is fine until further notice. You can still be prudent and careful about things and take all the common precautions (always have someone know where you are, have them call you every X amount of time on your phone to check on you, have someone come along with you the first few times, meet in public, get the person's real name and ask if you can see their ID... don't have to do any of that behind the person's back).

[SNeacail]

Originally Posted by Tonberry

breaking into their home to check if they have one.

Breaking into their home is illegal and a definite invasion of privacy, driving by the address they gave you to see if it really exisits isn't.

[NeonKaos]

Originally Posted by Tonberry

ask if you can see their ID... don't have to do any of that behind the person's back).

LOL I did that the night I met my husband. "Can I see your ID? OK, you can come home with me." I did show him my ID too.