A4 Refereed article in a conference publication
The Hidden Hazards of Job Hunting: Third-Party Services on Job Search Websites
Authors: Vuorinen, Esko; Rauti, Sampsa; Heino, Timi; Lohi, Henna: Rajapaksha, Sammani; Puhtila, Panu
Editors: Vasilache, Simona; Kočí, Radek
Conference name: International Conference on Software Engineering Advances
Publication year: 2024
Journal: International Conference on Software Engineering Advances
Book title : ICSEA 2024: The Nineteenth International Conference on Software Engineering Advances
Volume: 9
First page : 32
Last page: 37
ISBN: 978-1-68558-194-7
ISSN: 2308-4235
Web address : https://www.thinkmind.org/library/ICSEA/ICSEA_2024/icsea_2024_1_80_10050.html
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/484221870
This paper explores third-party services and trackers used on job search websites. We analyze what kind of data on the job search process is sent to these third parties and whether users have a fair possibility to understand what kind of data collection is taking place on the studied websites. Our results show that 87.5% of the studied websites leak data on the user's actions, such as displayed job advertisements, search terms and the intent to apply for a specific position. One job search website could leak data to as many as 9 third parties. Websites run by public sector bodies had significantly less third parties and data leaks, however. While some third parties may be necessary for targeted advertising, it would be important for website maintainers to consider the number of third parties and better inform users about the data protection activities.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |
Funding information in the publication:
This research has been funded by Academy of Finland project 327397, IDA – Intimacy in Data-Driven Culture.