Big Brother is Watching You Online—and So Is Your Insurer

Bromont, QCA Canadian woman on medical leave from her job in Quebec received an unexpected visit from her insurance company—on Facebook. The insurance company, which was paying the freight for her bout with depression, searched her Facebook profile and noted that she appeared to be having too much fun for someone allegedly suffering from depression.


So they cut her off.

The story was first reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and later appeared in the New York Times and other major US media over the weekend. The widespread attention stems not only from the sensational nature of the event, but also from fears over internet privacy and social networking sites.

Nathalie Blanchard was diagnosed with major depression and has been on leave from her job at IBM in Bromont, Quebec for about a year. On her doctor's orders, she made attempts to inject some degree of fun in her life in an effort to combat her depression.

The results of her "fun therapy" were posted on her Facebook page. Photos and wall postings showed Blanchard having a blast with her friends at a bar, at her birthday party, and on holiday.

This fall, her benefits suddenly stopped. When she called her insurer to inquire if there was a problem, a spokesperson at ManuLife told her that based on what they had seen on her Facebook page, Blanchard seemed no longer depressed and able to return to work.

When the Associated Press contacted ManuLife for comment, a spokesperson said that the insurer would not terminate her benefits solely based on what they had seen posted on a Facebook page. However, according to ManuLife, the pictures and postings on Facebook was evidence that Blanchard is no longer depressed.

ManuLife did confirm to the CBC that it uses social networking sites such as Facebook to investigate clients.

One aspect of the case that has Blanchard confused is the fact she had set her privacy settings so that only friends could see her posts.

However, according to Facebook's privacy policy, the social networking site will share information "with other companies, lawyers, courts or other government entities," to prevent fraud or other illegal activity.

Blanchard has retained legal counsel and is fighting to have her benefits re-instated.