I have an example, someone I know filed a suit against an employer due to a back injury. He won and was able to be off work until he was able to work.
Unfortunately, he was never able to get a full time job again. He worked the rest of his career at a temporary agency. He was constantly close to getting a job but never got it.
Many years later it was discovered that the most likely reason he never got a job was likely because during the background search they found the suit and no company wants to deal with someone that they felt had a possibility of suing.
This was in the 90's. Now it's so much easier to find that info. and more. But you would never know about it and how it effect us.
There is plenty of discriminatory actions that businesses and government organizations can undertake. If you don't get a job because of your medical condition have leaked online how would you know, are you able to gather enough evidence to go to court? As usual it is the most economically underprivileged individuals who would probably suffer first and you probably won't hear from them on HN.
Good point. Nobody would admit denying you a job for something that they found out through an invasion of privacy. I think you're right that those most effected won't likely talk about it here. That said, the demographics here mean the employers typically are making a fairly substantial investment. Your example is a good one. I'm trying to learn so don't yet have a well developed POV on the subject of privacy.
I've recently become more interested in privacy along with security and the experience was like some sort of awakening to all of these things happening around us that I've only vaguely been aware of. Some call it the matrix, I think. :-)
