- Germany edition
- Change edition:
- France |
- Norway |
- Spain |
- Sweden |
- Switzerland
Should Schufa trawl your Facebook page?
Published: 8 Jun 12 12:43 CET | Print version
Updated: 8 Jun 12 15:41 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/opinion/20120608-43037.html
Germany’s biggest credit bureau Schufa has been planning to poke around in your Facebook profile to find out if you're creditworthy. Is this just part of its job, or an intolerable violation? Have your say!
Although the research institute – the private Hasso-Plattner Institute in Potsdam – said on Friday it was pulling out of the project because it had been “misunderstood” – the question remains of what information could reasonably be used by Schufa in making a credit rating.
The idea was to use profiles on services such as Facebook, Xing and Twitter in order to get addresses, as well as gleaning information from property rental and sale sites such as immoscout24 or mobile.de.
This kind of talk always touches a nerve in Germany, where people are notoriously sensitive to data protection rules - as can be seen in the trail of legal wrangles with sites like Facebook and Google Street View. Germany successfully fought a battle to allow people to have their hones pixellated out on the latter.
The country's consumer protection and data protection groups are furious about the new intervention. “There is always a reason behind such research projects. If Schufa actually uses such data, it would be a completely new dimension,” said Thilo Weichert, data protection commissioner for the state of Schleswig-Holstein.
But what do you think? Are the Germans just being paranoid, or do the credit bureaux have the right to use whatever means necessary to provide accurate credit ratings, even of private individuals? How would you feel if you knew that Schufa was scanning your Facebook profile?
Let us know!
Registered users of The Local may add their comments in the field below. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can do so here – it’s free and only takes a moment.
The Local/bk
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Germany's collective blame phobia
The Germans have a particular phobia – they live in constant fear of being blamed for something. A commentary by Der Tagesspiegel's Malte Lehming. READ () »
First bison born in wild 'for centuries'
A wild bison has been born in Germany for the first time in centuries. The lead female of a herd released from captivity in April gave birth to the calf on May 5th, it was revealed on Tuesday. READ () »
Conservatives demand East German symbol ban
Germany's Christian Democrats (CDU) called on Tuesday for symbols associated with the totalitarian socialist regime of former East Germany to be banned, in the same way that it is illegal to display Nazi memorabilia. READ () »
States to toughen laws on drunken cycling
German state interior ministers are hashing out a plan to lower the amount of alcohol cyclists can legally consume before getting on their bikes. The measures come as figures show one in 10 bike accidents are the result of drunk riders. READ () »
The Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek dies at 74
Ray Manzarek, co-founder of legendary 1960s rock band The Doors and creator of their signature organ sound, died on Monday in Germany after a long battle with cancer, his manager said. He was 74. READ () »
England fans decry 'German' football jersey
The new jersey for England’s national football team has sparked the ire of English fans for looking too much like the kit archrivals Germany wore when they won the World Cup in 1974. READ () »
'My friends call me travelling x-ray salesman'
In the latest installment of My German Career, The Local spoke with New Zealander physicist Graham Appleby about Hamburg's high intensity x-ray beams and life in Germany's scientific community. READ () »
Germany seeks 'visible' Kosovo-Serbia progress
Germany has called for "visible" progress in implementing a landmark deal between Serbia and Kosovo before securing Berlin's backing for Belgrade's bid to join the European Union. READ () »
- 16/05 'At his final heartbeat I knew I had to act' »
- 14/05 'It's time Germany got over its speed fetish' »
- 13/05 'Germans are nice thanks to my Ami accent' »
- 09/05 Beate Zschäpe: neo-Nazi of mystery »
- 07/05 'The NSU trial is an aim in itself' »
- 06/05 'Racism is in society's wallpaper' »
- 06/05 'You can get pension payments back' »
- 02/05 Boy - the world's smallest film star »
- 30/04 'Women give the Catholic church a future' »
- 25/04 'Messi? I want to be Germany's Ronaldo' »
- 21/05 Far right figure kills himself at Notre Dame »
- 21/05 French ministers face grilling over tax scandal »
More news from France at thelocal.fr
More news from Norway at thelocal.no
- 21/05 Seven arrested over Stockholm's Husby riots »
- 21/05 'The future of freedom on the internet is at stake' »
More news from Sweden at thelocal.se
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
See all ads | Join the Marketplace
-
Shiply Worldwide Ltd
Shiply the Online Transport Market Place -
PsyShrink Munich
The Expat Psychologists in Munich, Frankfurt and worldwide -
Weiss Institut
Free yourself from Smoking addictions, Sugar craving and Alcohol addictions -
Chambervelt Rooselain & Cie Ltd.
Insurance and financial planning for English speakers in Germany -
British Corner Shop
British Corner Shop - The online supermarket for expats -
PsyShrink Frankfurt
The Expat Psychologists in Munich, Frankfurt and worldwide
858 jobs available
568 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today
- MRI Scientist - Diagnostics & Biomedical Technologies (m/f)
- Application Engineer (professional level)
- Database Engineer with IAM knowhow (professional level)
- Manager for our Information Risk Management Team (m/f)
- Program Assistant (m/f)
- Assistant Student Office (f/m)
- Senior Consultant (w/m) Advisory mit Schwerpunkt Tax Performance and Advisory Services / Düsseldorf
- Social Media Practitioner/ Web-Master (m/f)
- Research Director, Telecoms, TV & Media
- Fulfilment Manager (m/f) - Marketing within FMCG sector
- Apr/09 Touring Tempelhof – Europe’s Largest Historical Monument
- Apr/09 Spring in Berlin 2013 – Where, What Why and When!
- Mar/12 Living Like a Local – Tell us what you think and win a weekend in Berlin!
- Feb/04 Escaping the City – Our Recommended Suburban Getaways
- Feb/04 Berlin Tegel Airport Transfers – How to get into the City
Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your
style? Find a German sweetheart here.
Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather
section.
Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.
Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of
charge.
Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
- Food trucks – meals on wheels
Small mobile restaurants are starting to catch on in Germany and they are often far more than your average snack wagons with Currywurst and Pommes. - “Preserve the proven, shape the new” – the International Bach Academy in Stuttgart
For more than thirty years, Helmuth Rilling shaped the international Bach Academy; now he is succeeded by Hans-Christoph Rademann. - ‘Open Mike’ – Fireworks with the Buddha
The Berlin ‘Open Mike’ entered this year its twentieth edition. - On the Stage, the Spoken Word Prevails
In January 2013 the annual meeting of the Dramaturgical Society took place in Munich; its theme: “Speaking on Stage – and about Theatre”... - The Magician of Images – Klaus Ensikat
With the technique of an Old Master and subtle humour, the award-winning graphic designer and illustrator Klaus Ensikat has for fifty years produced ingenious illustrations for literary classics and children’s books....
- Conference - Pioneers on Dual Training Abroad
Germany‘s system of dual training is one of the foundations of its economic strength. - The all-German final in Wembley
Bayern München and Borussia Dortmund are playing in the final of the Champions League at London’s Wembley Stadium. - German first feature film in Cannes
A directorial debut from Germany makes it to the competition “Un Certain Regard” at the famous film festival on the Côte d’Azur. - Traveling Germany: Europa-Park
Think theme parks:Roller coasters, colorful rides, entertainment, thrills. Think Germany: Europa-Park is the largest amusement park in the country, second in Europe only to Disneyland Paris. - Frankfurt – the digital hub
The Internet hub in Frankfurt am Main is the largest in the world and places Germany in a leading position in the digital world.
- Theatre festival between the Saar and the Mosel
The Festival Perspectives in the German-French region around Saarbrücken is staging European theatre, dance and music productions. - The European Year of Citizens
2013 is the European Year of Citizens. - Europe Day, Robert Schuman and Class 4a
Enthusiasm for the idea of Europe – in the 60th European Competition, schoolchildren from Germany show what this could look like. - Relief organizations
The portals presented here provide information on the help programs offered by different organizations.
- (Junior) Event Manager
- Design Engineer Aerospace in Toulouse
- Design Feasibility Engineer / Craftsmanship Engineer (m/f)
- Electrical Engineer Stationary Energy Storage
- Ph.D. student - Security & Privacy in Vehicular Communication
- Product Safety Engineer – Subsea Services
- Segment Manager Marketing (m/f)
- Business Development Manager Formable
- Finance Director
- Accountant
- 19/05 Car Boot Sale Herford
- 17/05 paid internship
- 17/05 Florida resident seeks job in baden Baden Germany
- 17/05 Berlin Writing Group
- 17/05 cheap car hire
- 15/05 Queen size bed & frame
- 02:05 Where to buy Heinz baked beans
- 00:48 The Good life!
- 00:24 Working from home in Germany: pros and cons
- 00:04 Let's cocktail! Ladies Night in Frankfurt =)
- 23:55 Registration of residence in Munich (Anmeldung)
- 23:52 Calling all video gamers
- 23:21 Gyms with TRX suspension training
- 22:59 Lets Meet! 30+ Ladies Meet Up in Frankfurt@Daytime
- 22:36 Claiming tax deductions
- 22:34 Taking my daughter on holiday to Pakistan
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!
'Charming, old, beamed cottage for holiday let in Jesus Pobre, Alicante, Spain
www.littlehouseinspain.com/
Professional and qualified consultancy on all insurance and finance matters in Germany, Telephone: +49 2163 571 1740, Email: bg@albatross-assurance.com
www.albatross-assurance.com
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.
Your comments about this article:
Imagine this scenario though. You are in no way a credit risk, but lots of your "friends" on facebook have a horrible credit rating. Would they automatically write down your credit-worthiness as some of your mates are notorious credit card junkies? I reckon that's the dangerous part.
But, I think the more pressing questions (not exhaustive) are: 1) How is the profile information relevant to making a viable credit risk assessment?; 2) What factors in the profile will be used and how will they be weighted?; 3) What if I don't have some information in my profile, will the credit rating agency want me to post it, or else?; and 4) What if I don't have a Facebook account (e.g., yourkeau), will I be told to get one, and post a profile and accept friends so they can assess whether or not my associates are credit worthy or not?
And for those dumb enough to put there life, for all to see and read, forever, I have no pity for the consequences they suffer.
In the ever expanding information highway and the ever increasing demand for information,about consumers, and their personnel life styles likes and dislikes.The abuse by authorities and the private sector of information garnered off the good intentions of the public,only to willing to put it out there.
I say let the user beware. No thanks
has looked at your face book account
But if you don't use facebook, you are safe, right? No. Credit agencies are well known for making mistakes with their data. Suppose somebody with a similar name to yours posts on facebook that they have money problems. That could affect your credit rating even if you have never heard of facebook.
Is it April Fool's Day again?
On the other hand: if I had a Facebook account, this would really make me think it over....