From an informal personal space to a vetted record of public conduct—social media is no longer “just online.” With the US government now mandating social media profile checks for student visa applicants, the line between public and private is blurring. Employers already scan profiles before hiring, landlords screen tenants this way, and now immigration authorities are following suit.

“The geopolitical condition of the world is not very comfortable or friendly at this point. Several countries are in conflict, and this has led to increased scrutiny—down to matching the identity, intent, and consistency of a visa applicant through their social media activity,” said Mamta Shekhawat, Founder of Gradding.com, a study-abroad platform.

“They are increasingly preferring applicants who maintain a neutral online presence. Loud, provocative posts can become red flags. It’s not just about what content someone posts; even what they share or comment on is being scrutinised. During our counseling sessions, we explicitly advise students to delete any posts, shares, or comments related to war or politically sensitive topics, especially if they could contradict the image presented in their visa application. A private profile isn’t private to the immigration system—it takes them minutes to assess your digital background, your views, your mindset,” she added.

The practice isn’t restricted to international borders. In India, employers in blue- and grey-collar segments have also begun conducting informal social media checks, though the process remains largely unstructured.

“It’s less about having a polished LinkedIn profile and more about avoiding overt red flags on mainstream platforms,” said Nirmit Parikh, CEO at Apna.co. “Employers may casually browse an applicant’s public profile to ensure there’s no concerning conduct that might affect reliability or workplace safety. We’re seeing early signs of this trend gaining traction, especially in roles that involve customer interaction or trust-based responsibilities, such as delivery, housekeeping, sales, and customer support.”

Increasingly factoring

Landlords are also increasingly factoring in social media as part of tenant screening, often browsing public posts, photos, and comments to get a sense of a tenant’s lifestyle and personality.

“There’s definitely risk involved here,” said Amit Agarwal, CEO and Co-founder of NoBroker. “Young tenants, students, and digitally active individuals often have a more public online presence. They tend to post more frequently, share personal moments, or express opinions that could be misinterpreted, especially by landlords from a different generation or cultural background.”

As digital footprints expand and become more accessible, the boundaries of personal privacy continue to shift, highlighting the growing importance of online discretion in both personal and professional spheres.

Published on May 30, 2025