In recognition of Data Privacy Day on Saturday, the security unit of the Campus Information Technologies and Educational Services, or CITES, is taking the day to educate online users, especially students, about the risk of acting irresponsibly on the Internet. The issue of data privacy, also coined “reputation management,” has quickly become a controversial issue in parallel with the rise of social media, said Brian Mertz, senior security outreach specialist for CITES security.

Although this is the fifth annual Data Privacy Day, this will be the first time the University takes an active approach in promoting it. As part of Data Privacy Day, Intel Corp. and the Associated Students of Stanford are making it possible for anyone to download a free copy of “lol… OMG!” by Matt Ivester. The book is directed at students and centers on online behavior and its consequences, particularly when looking for a job. The book will be available online from Jan. 27 through Jan. 30.

Mertz said there is a growing trend of companies reviewing possible job candidates’ Facebook pages.

“We may have tens to hundreds of students applying for jobs that will get rejected for things they’re not aware of,” Mertz said. “From the photos you post to blogging, it’s not that hard for companies to find.”

While Facebook is most commonly known as the Web site companies inspect, other social media sites are also becoming a part of job search methods. Now, YouTube and Tumblr are starting to become more heavily monitored.

Some students believe that these companies may be reaching their attention out a little too far.

“I feel like Facebook is fair game, but YouTube has people’s own opinions and creative work,” said Andrew Boen, sophomore in Engineering. “I think it’s a bad thing to be honest … people should be held accountable but not haunted by it for the rest of their life.”

However, Mertz said this trend may not be turning around any time soon.

“We’ve never had a time in the history of mankind where spreading information about ourselves is not only easy to spread worldwide but also permanent,” Mertz said. “It’s a paradigm shift, which always comes with good and bad. I can’t tell you where this is heading, but it’s definitely headed in a different direction.”