Yahoo Sells Hotjobs To Monster, Protects Their Users

Dante just emailed me information about the purchase of Yahoo Hotjobs by Monster. We have seen Yahoo sell assets in the past and this is just another one of them. What's more interesting is the fact how the transfer of user data has been negotiated.

Yahoo could have simply given Monster access to the Hotjobs database, but that would have meant handing user information to a third party.

With privacy in mind, this could have been disastrous. Not only because of the user data, but also the information that may have been added to Monster without the user's consent.

Yahoo decided to create an opt-in for Hotjobs users. Hotjobs users have the option to give Yahoo permission to transfer the information to Monster in 2011. Giving the permission ensures that Hotjob resumes, employment profiles, job alerts and cover letters will be available at Monster once the transfer completes.

Transfer your HotJobs information to Monster When you choose to transfer your HotJobs information to Monster, you give Yahoo! permission to transfer the information to Monster in early 2011. The transfer ensures that your HotJobs resumes, employment profiles, job alerts, and cover letters will be available to you when the integration is completed in early 2011. Your HotBlocks and Hide Company preferences will not be transferred.

Your HotJobs information will become subject to Monster’s terms of use and privacy policy. When you choose to transfer your HotJobs information to Monster, you will continue to use HotJobs as you have been until early 2011. The site will be called Monster+HotJobs during the transition period.

Users who do not want their data to be transferred do not have to do anything. Hotjobs will simply stop working in the beginning of 2011, and no data will be transferred and thus available at the Monster website.

If you don’t transfer your HotJobs information to Monster In early 2011, when the integration is completed and if you haven’t had us transfer your HotJobs information to Monster, the information will not be available either onHotJobs or Monster. You will not be able to use HotJobs, and if you start to use Monster, you will have to re-create your information, including your resumes, employment profiles, cover letters, and job alerts.

Yahoo's behavior in this regard is highly ethical, and an example of a company that protects their user's privacy and data. How many companies would be willing to do the same?

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