Lenders using Facebook, Twitter to gather borrower information

I find this as important as any of the other privacy discussions that have been going on.

As I've commented before, particularly with regard to evaluations based upon one's "social graph" (who are your "friends", and how do they "rate"?): Will we end up with an automated and/or network-driven, electronic social ostracism? Will I have to consider the financial and employment "side effects" of befriending a person on Facebook? This is a major reason I've been very unhappy with the "publification" of friends lists. In the long run, it may segregate rather than unite.

Ironically, it's "South Park" that has perhaps most publicly addressed this point, to date.

Some of the deepest implications of current "social networking" are not really new, at all. And understanding their implications requires deeper consideration not always endemic in the brash upstarts seeking to "conquer the world".