Danish companies increasingly utilize background checks for job applicants, says Jakob Scharf

Many major Danish and international companies are increasingly conducting background checks on job applicants before signing contracts, particularly for high-level positions. Jakob Scharf, the former head of the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET), has turned this practice into a business, helping clients sift through the internet for potentially damaging information on new hires. As the founder and director of Certa Intelligence and Security, he emphasizes the importance of trustworthiness and loyalty in the recruitment process.

Scharf’s background includes a law degree and a stint in the Ministry of Justice before leading PET from 2007 to 2013. He gained public attention in 2016 with his book “Seven Years for PET,” detailing his experiences. However, he faced legal challenges in 2018 for disclosing confidential information but was acquitted of most charges in February 2020.

Certa employs various tools for background checks, leveraging open-source intelligence (OSINT) to gather information from publicly available online resources. According to tech correspondent Henrik Moltke, these methods can include facial recognition technology to uncover past images and details about a candidate’s social circle.

Scharf stated that companies are particularly interested in whether candidates have ties to known state actors or have exhibited extremist behaviors. While Certa is noted to be less controversial than other similar firms, the legality and ethicality of such extensive background checks remain a concern.

The key question being raised is how far these checks should go and which pieces of information are deemed relevant by employers. Discussions on balancing ethical considerations with the need for information in recruitment are ongoing.