A security company owner, who also holds a valid security guard license, instructs their licensed guards to regularly access and monitor the private social media profiles of former employees and current clients without their knowledge or consent, citing 'due diligence' for company reputation and client retention. All information gathered is stored on company servers. What is the primary legal and ethical concern with this directive in Alberta?

Question: A security company owner, who also holds a valid security guard license, instructs their licensed guards to regularly access and monitor the private social media profiles of former employees and current clients without their knowledge or consent, citing 'due diligence' for company reputation and client retention. All information gathered is stored on company servers. What is the primary legal and ethical concern with this directive in Alberta?

Answer options: ✅ Violation of provincial privacy legislation and the Security Services and Investigators Act Code of Conduct regarding unlawful surveillance.

• It constitutes a breach of the company's internal data retention policies.
• It disproportionately increases the workload of the security staff without additional compensation.
• It demonstrates a lack of trust in employees and clients, which could harm company morale.

Correct answer: Violation of provincial privacy legislation and the Security Services and Investigators Act Code of Conduct regarding unlawful surveillance.

Explanation: Monitoring private social media profiles without consent for 'due diligence' constitutes unlawful surveillance and a violation of an individual's reasonable expectation of privacy, directly breaching provincial privacy legislation (e.g., PIPA) and the ethical standards outlined in the Security Services and Investigators Act Code of Conduct, which requires guards to act lawfully and with respect for privacy.