The value of personal data

Those who still think they are insignificant and their lives and their personal things would be of no interest to anyone, or those who still say they are nobody and therefore no one would watch and eavesdrop on them, or that they have nothing to hide, that's why they don't mind someone spying on them in their home, etc., they need to rethink that concept.

Two days ago I happened to be talking to a person about what is happening to me right now in my job search process - that I am applying for positions that I think I have the qualifications or potential to do, but no one does contacts me about them afterwards, that I don't get feedback after the 3rd or 4th interview, or if I do, they tell me I didn't pass the tests when I clearly did, or they tell me that not actually looking for exactly the people they said they were looking for, etc. etc.

This person then told me that it's possible that now companies are just pretending they're looking to hire people, but they're actually "filling their databases".

Really? And what does that mean?

My boyfriend thinks that employers are not looking for people right now because it's summer (despite the many job postings). They collected data for themselves for a later period if they needed employees.
Well, that's crazy. And I don't think it's true.
First, if a person is looking for a job right now (just like me) and comes across a company that has posted a fake job ad just to collect personal data and contacts for a later stage of their business, that person (me) being naturally disillusioned with this company, would not go to work for them if they call me in months or a year with some answer or result of a current interview. There is no logic in such a strategy. (Well, is there any logic at all in the current world order in general?)

On the other hand, with each application, I need to give my consent to the processing of my personal data, and it happened twice to look at what I was actually giving consent to.
In one place, among other things, it was noted that everything written in my CV could be used for marketing purposes (wtf?). And in another - that if necessary, my personal data can be transferred outside the EU (why, after I apply in the EU?)

Now, after all said and experienced, I'm pretty sure that if not the direct companies that are really looking to hire people (I don't know if there are such anymore), then the recruitment agencies are certainly in the business of collecting and selling personal data. Otherwise, I can't explain what they do for a living, since they practically don't do any work related to recruiting.

I had never thought before that with every job application I am giving someone the course of my entire life for free (and I consider this sensitive information). Without getting anything in return. (Even a job. Or sometimes even an interview.)
Of course, we provide our personal data voluntarily every day and in many places. Think about FB. The fact that I have personally deleted any found info from there a long time ago does not mean that this info is not still there somewhere and is not being sold every day. And Linkedin? I made the big mistake of updating my profile there a bit on the advice of an acquaintance who claimed to want to help me and that he himself had recently found a job through this site. I don't know why he lied to me. This is still a mystery to me. Because then it turned out that he did not find a job through this site. Which also has extremely sensitive information about each of its members, provided completely voluntarily.

Reflecting on all this, I am beginning to be convinced that personal data is something very important and very expensive. Something on which I suppose are based theories, decisions, actions, strategies, productions, on which the existence of the whole world probably rests.
So don't think that you are unimportant or that your life is unimportant. It turns out that every single person is extremely important. For someone. Or something.

Thank you for your time! Copyright:	@soulsdetour
	Soul's Detour is a project started by me years ago when I had a blog about historical and not so popular tourist destinations in Eastern Belgium, West Germany and Luxembourg. Nowadays, this blog no longer exists, but I'm still here - passionate about architecture, art and mysteries and eager to share my discoveries and point of view with you.

Personally, I am a sensitive soul with a strong sense of justice.
Traveling and photography are my greatest passions.
Sounds trivial to you?
No, it's not trivial. Because I still love to travel to not so famous destinations.🗺️
Of course, the current situation does not allow me to do this, but I still find a way to satisfy my hunger for knowledge, new places, beauty and art.
Sometimes you can find the most amazing things even in the backyard of your house.😊🧐🧭|