AI in headhunting: what data protection requires

AI tools promise headhunters a lot of time: summarising profiles, suggesting candidates, drafting messages. At the same time, agencies work with sensitive personal data. This article sums up principles that apply in Switzerland and the EU. It is not legal advice.

Transparency towards candidates

People should know which data about them is processed and why. That also applies when AI helps. A clear privacy policy and plain information at first contact build trust.

A person decides

The Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection and the EU General Data Protection Regulation contain specific rules for decisions that are made solely by automated means and significantly affect people. If you use AI so that it suggests and a person decides, you are on safe ground, and you work better anyway.

Only process what is needed

Data minimisation applies to AI too. Process the data you need for placement, and delete outdated records according to clear rules.

Know where the data is

Many AI services run on servers abroad. Check which countries data is transferred to and on what basis. Also ask your providers whether your data is used to train models.

Nothing goes out unchecked

An AI draft is a draft. Read messages to candidates and clients before they are sent. That protects against mistakes and unwanted mass mailings.

How we handle this at Sourge

Sourge drafts, you decide what goes out automatically. Every suggestion comes with a reason. We will add more details on data protection and data location to the FAQ.