Can the government force you to accept invasive third-party tracking — like sharing your phone number, IP address, and device info — just to apply for public employment?
That’s exactly what I’m facing with the City of Sunnyvale and their platform GovernmentJobs.com (operated by NeoGov). Before even viewing or applying for jobs like Temporary Parks Worker I, applicants must consent to the collection and sale of personal data — including device IDs, IP addresses, phone numbers, and marketing profiles shared with data brokers and advertisers.
Here’s the link to NeoGov’s policy: https://www.governmentjobs.com/home/privacypolicy
Don’t agree, and you can’t apply. They’ll prompt you to delete your account.
Is This Legal?
Does this violate our rights to privacy, freedom of association, or due process when there’s no alternative way to apply?
When government functions rely on private platforms, our rights don’t disappear. But by outsourcing public job applications to NeoGov, the government is sidestepping those protections.
What’s New?
In 2025, NeoGov updated their policy. They now share your personal data with advertisers and data brokers — essentially selling your info — before you can even view or apply for a government job.
NeoGov isn’t just a job portal anymore, they’re now a commercial data hub profiting off our government job applications.
This raises serious legal concerns:
- Fourth Amendment violations: Forcing applicants to give up private data without probable cause or a warrant.
- CCPA breaches: Sharing personal information without clear, informed consent and no opt-out violates the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA) and California Constitution Article I, Section 1 (Right to Privacy).
- Due process and equal protection: Blocking access to public jobs unless applicants surrender privacy rights.
I reached out to the City of Sunnyvale, but they refuse to offer alternative application methods. This situation threatens not just individual privacy but sets a troubling precedent for public employment and government accountability.
Let’s stand up for our rights respectfully. If you’re concerned, here are some contacts:
- Sunnyvale City Clerk: [cityclerk@sunnyvale.ca.gov] 408 730 7483
- Sunnyvale HR Department: [Human Resources – City of Sunnyvale] 408 730 7490
- Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF): info@eff.org | https://www.eff.org
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): info@aclu.org | https://www.aclu.org
Together, we can push back against these invasive practices and demand that public employment remain accessible without compromising our fundamental rights. Rights are like muscles — if you don’t exercise them, they get weaker.