In a concerning turn of events for online privacy, Glassdoor, once celebrated for allowing users to anonymously review their employers, has come under scrutiny for its revised privacy practices. This shift follows Glassdoor's acquisition of FishBowl in 2021, which introduced a policy demanding user verification and the merging of FishBowl accounts with those of Glassdoor. The result has been troubling: personal information of users, including real names, has been made public without their consent, raising fears of data leaks or exposure through legal challenges.
Ars Technica has shed light on several alarming cases, including that of an individual named Monica, who discovered her name publicly attached to her Glassdoor profile against her wishes. Despite her efforts to reclaim her anonymity, Glassdoor's response was rigid, citing the visibility of users' names as an immutable policy. This stance appeared contradictory when a spokesperson later suggested that anonymity was still an option for users.
Another user, referred to as Josh, faced a similar breach of privacy with his details not only published without authorization but also inaccurately presented. Faced with these revelations, both Monica and Josh have sought to have their personal data removed from Glassdoor, highlighting a growing concern over privacy rights in the digital age.