Chatbots, Ghost Jobs & Data Leaks — Why We Need the TJAAA
A single password: “123456.” That’s all it took for hackers to access 64 million records from McDonald’s AI job screening chatbot “Olivia,” developed by Paradox.ai. The breach exposed not just chat logs—but resumes, phone numbers, emails, and personal job seeker data shared during applications. (Wired article)
This isn't just a one-off tech failure—it's a warning shot.
AI-powered hiring tools and chatbots are now at the heart of modern recruiting. But without proper oversight, they don’t just streamline processes—they amplify harm, especially when tied to misleading or non-existent job ads, often called ghost jobs.
With tools like Olivia, a fake or abandoned job listing can quietly harvest thousands—or millions—of personal data records, making the reach of ghost jobs exponentially larger than ever before.
That’s where the Truth in Job Advertising and Accountability Act (TJAAA) comes in.
The TJAAA doesn’t ban AI or limit innovation. It simply requires:
That job seekers be informed when AI or chatbots are being used during the application process.
That they be given the right to opt out or request human contact.
That companies only post real, active opportunities with disclosed intent to hire.
That applicants’ personal data is protected and not passively tracked or harvested without consent.
If a job is fake, automated tools multiply the damage.
If a job is real, transparency only builds trust.
The Wired story is a case study in what happens without regulation. The TJAAA is a bipartisan, common-sense proposal designed to restore trust, privacy, and fairness to the hiring process—whether you're applying through a chatbot, a job board, or a company career site.
Sign the petition and learn more at www.truthinjobads.org
Let’s demand job ads that are real, respectful, and responsible.
