Computer and Software Support


Beware of being added to Groups without your knowledge 

 Facebook

At one time, when a person wanted to add someone to a group, a request is sent to the person stating that someone wants them to join the group. Then the person would have the option to join or deny the request. That is no longer the case with Facebook. Now if an individual wants to add you to their group, they can just add you.

This poses a very real danger to you. The best way to explain it is to give a couple of examples.

 

Example One

Facebook looks for groups that are hate groups and deletes them but sometimes it takes awhile to find them. A hate group is added to Facebook and the administrator of the hate group adds you to the group without your knowledge. Then the authorities discover the hate group and starts to investigate the group and it's members. Even though you are unaware of being in the group, you are investigated.

Chances are, you won't get convicted of a crime for just being in the group. However, your friends may find out about the investigation and some may not believe you are innocent. It could even affect your job. If you have a security clearance at your job, they may feel you are a threat and loose your clearance. If this happens, you could lose your job and may never get your clearance back. They don't have to have proof to take your clearance away. They just need suspicion.

 

Example Two

A friend is an atheist and cannot stand Christianity. He decides to create a group called "Christianity as a scam and Christians should be arrested"  Your friend wants you to join the group so he adds you to the group.

Since Facebook doesn't get your permission first before adding you and doesn't notify you that you got added to the group, you are unaware that you are a member of that group. You apply to work at a Christian Church. When you go for the interview, the interviewer finds out that you have a Facebook account and takes a look at your page. The interviewer sees that you are a member of a group that contradicts what their business represents.

Chances are they will not hire you. The interviewer may or may not tell you that is the reason they turned you away. Even if they did, they may not believe you when you tell them you was unaware that you belonged to that group.  

These two examples may not be the best examples to use but it does show the dangers of you being added without your permission.

You should periodically check to see what groups you are in, because you may be a part of a group that you don't want to be in without your knowledge.

Yes people should ask you if you want to join before adding you. However they may think that you will get a request to join and not know that you are automatically added.

If you want to remove yourself from a group, here is how you do it.