Private Investigators & Social Media:

Learn about the do’s and don’ts of private investigators and how they use social media.

As a private investigator, you’ve learned to be resourceful. You know how to find the most detailed information using minimal resources. Social media, however, has been a key component in your ability to find information. Contrary to how Hollywood has portrayed, private investigators have legal limitations when it comes to finding information. Check out what private investigators can and cannot do, and how social media has become a powerful tool in the process.

Access to Information.

As a private investigator, you’re still expected to stay within the realm of the law. When it comes to access to information, private investigators are just like everyone else. They have limited access to private information. However, when a person of interest posts something on social media, it’s no longer private. Posts on the internet are deemed to be within the public domain and therefore it’s not protected information.

Criminal Behavior.

When it comes to private investigation, sometimes you stumble upon some illegal activities. Unlike law enforcement, private investigators aren’t authorized to make arrests. They are simply hired to collect intel on a particular person of interest. They aren’t authorized to make arrests and they’re not required to report any illegal activities that they witness.

Rules on Deception.

Private investigators are not given any special treatment. They aren’t allowed to trespass and they’re not allowed to pose as law enforcement officers. However, there aren’t any rules about using other forms of disguises. However, do keep in mind that social media sites have rules prohibiting the creation of a fake profile.

When it comes to your private investigations, ensure that you have the right tools. Use a people search engine to help you extrapolate information from social media. Contact the professionals at Skopenow to help you get the digital information that you need.