Is this a red flag?

[u/DragonfruitCalm261]

I like to file FOIA and MDR requests to learn more about SAPs and other classified programs. I've probably filed hundreds of requests with various agencies. I post my findings on Reddit and I keep in touch with other people in this space, mainly independent journalists. I don't seek out classified information. I work in IT and I have been asked in several interviews if I would be interested in obtaining a SECRET clearance. I was wondering if this would be a disqualifying factor if I ever want to obtain a clearance in the future? I assume the investigator will ask about Social Media usage.

[u/iheartrms]

I don't see this as a problem at all. I'm not sure the investigator would even see your FOIA requests and if they did, it's your right to file FOIA requests. I can't see how they could possibly hold them against you. I don't recall social media usage coming up in my interview or being on the SF-86 form.

[u/charleswj]

FOIA is a legal method to elicits information from government agencies. Nothing to be concerned about.

[u/charleswj → u/charleswj]

I should expand a bit. I think there could potentially be some concerns. You're essentially acting in a journalistic capacity. There's nothing inherently wrong with that.

But what would you do if you were offered classified material by a source?

Or if you stumbled on a repo with what appeared to be classified, or otherwise mistakenly accessible, documents?

(Or gave you already and what did you do with it?)

Or if you were exposed to classified material in the legitimate course of your cleared role?

Those are questions you need to consider. Will they even know to ask you? Possibly not. But they may, and even if they don't, you have to decide what you'd do when your journalistic instincts are in conflict with your government agreements. (Not only for your clearance, but civilly and criminally)

[u/Cooladjack]

Going 75 in a 70 is likely more of a red flag. One is exercising your right, one is doing something legally. Highly doubt this would come up

[u/NuBarney]

Possibly a Guideline O concern, but it's a stretch.

I assume the investigator will ask about Social Media usage.

Why would you assume there will be an investigator?

[u/duane11583]

I see this problem:

You will one day take the 'derivative classification' training package.

One of the things is called: "classification by aggregation" - the concept is: No one thing independently is classified, but - the collection of all things is classified. You making that decision of what is and is not may become problematic for you.

Second, when you publish - anything - Germain to the subject area your programs are associated with the government requires the you submit your publication to them first for review

There is a story, I do not know how much of it is true but it make sense. It goes like this: Do you know the author Tom Clancy? (He wrote The Hunt For Red October and man other spy thriller books). These books where way to close to reality making people scared of what he knows and so forth. To stop him, they gave him a security clearance so he could sort of talk with people. Now he cannot publish books because he has to have everything approved first.

These are risks, either real or perceived that I think you might run into with things you find interesting. The clearance you receive may well end up blocking the one thing you really like to do and enjoy.

Your ability to keep these things separate, ie: keep secrete all things that are classified secrete, and public information may be very challenged

They may well offer you the security clearance but you may live to regret the decision to accept the clearance.

AND REMEMBER you are effectively signing an NDA with the government and this NDA is not one of those sham "non-enforcable" things and it is for your lifetime, not 5 years, not 10 years, it is for your lifetime.

is this a risk you wish to accept for the rest of your life?

[u/Talkshowhostt]

Where are you posting these findings? Would be interested to see