A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check does not show your internet search history. These background screenings look at criminal records, employment history, and relevant barring lists to check if someone is suitable for specific roles. Personal internet activity, including browsing data and search histories, stays private and is protected by data privacy laws. The DBS check system only examines official records about criminal convictions and employment verification, not online behavior. This information helps employers know what they can and cannot see during the screening process.
Understanding DBS Check Components
When reviewing the components of a DBS check, these background screenings examine criminal records and relevant employment history, not personal internet activity. The main function of these checks is to protect vulnerable populations by showing information about an individual’s criminal background.
DBS checks are available in three types: basic, standard and enhanced. The basic check shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions. The enhanced version provides a more complete review of an individual’s background, including spent convictions and any relevant information held by local police forces.
Neither type of check includes internet history or online search data in their reports.
The screening process follows filtering rules that determine which information should be shown, keeping only relevant criminal records. This method maintains individual privacy while giving employers necessary information for hiring decisions, especially for positions working with children or vulnerable adults.
Search History Privacy Facts
Many individuals ask themselves does a DBS check show your Search History and so worry about their online privacy during background checks, but search history remains confidential and separate from DBS screenings. Privacy laws protect personal internet history from being accessed or disclosed during any background check process, including DBS checks.
| Privacy Aspect DBS Check Coverage |
| Internet History | Not Included |
| Criminal Records | Fully Included |
| Search Data | Not Accessible |
| Online Activities | Not Disclosed |
The difference between what a DBS check shows and what stays private is defined by law. While criminal records and background information are accessed during screening, internet history remains separate from these investigations. This separation keeps personal online activities, including search histories, confidential and protected.
These privacy protections help reduce concerns about personal data exposure during background checks. Employers conducting DBS checks review only criminal records and employment verification, without access to private internet browsing data. This maintains a balance between background screening and personal privacy rights.
DBS Check Information Scope
The DBS check includes specific categories of information while excluding personal internet data such as search histories. These checks focus on checking an individual’s criminal background, employment history, and presence on relevant barring lists to determine suitability for specific positions.
Some people incorrectly believe DBS checks show internet history or online activities. However, this private information stays protected and inaccessible during the screening process. Employers conducting DBS checks must follow legal regulations that define what can be investigated, and internet search data remains outside these boundaries.
The DBS check system focuses on relevant records that affect employment suitability. This includes criminal convictions, cautions, and specific employment-related information.
The exclusion of personal internet history from DBS checks shows respect for individual privacy rights and separates public records from private online activities. This helps both employers and candidates understand what DBS checks do and don’t cover during employment screening.
Digital Footprint and DBS
Your digital footprint stays separate from information shown in a DBS check, which only looks at criminal records and employment-related data. Employers might review digital presence during hiring, but DBS checks do not include internet history or personal search data. This difference matters for job applicants to know, as it keeps clear boundaries between professional background checks and private online activities.
The distinction between digital footprints and DBS checks helps both employers and candidates understand the screening process. Organizations must use legitimate methods within background check limits, following privacy rules that protect personal internet activities.
- DBS checks review official records and documentation, not online behavior or search histories
- Personal internet activity has privacy protection and remains inaccessible through standard background screening
- Employers must keep digital footprint reviews separate from formal DBS check procedures
- Search history stays private, but maintaining a professional online presence benefits career growth
Each part of the hiring process has a specific function, with DBS checks examining verified records rather than digital traces.
Common DBS Check Misconceptions
Several false beliefs exist about DBS checks. People often think these checks show personal search histories. This is incorrect – DBS checks do not include internet browsing data. These checks only look at criminal records and specific employment-related information, not personal online activities.
| False Belief Truth |
| Internet history shows in DBS | DBS checks do not access search history |
| All online activity is visible | Only criminal records are reviewed |
| Social media is included | Social media accounts are not checked |
| Complete digital footprint | Limited to specific legal documentation |
The facts about what DBS checks actually show help correct these false ideas. Many people misunderstand data privacy and access rights. While DBS checks thoroughly review relevant criminal history and safeguarding information, they cannot access personal search histories or private online activities. Privacy regulations and technical limits keep personal browsing data protected from unauthorized access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a DBS Check Show Your Search History?
A DBS check does not look at or show your internet history. These checks only examine criminal records and related background information, not your online activities or search data.
What Information Does a Dbs Check Show?
A DBS check shows criminal records, cautions, warnings, and background information. Additional details from local police records and barred list information may appear in advanced checks for specific job roles.
What Does an Employer See on a DBS Check?
DBS checks allow employers to view criminal records, cautions, warnings, reprimands, and relevant convictions. They cannot access personal information like search history or financial records.
What Will Fail a DBS Check?
A DBS check may be unsuccessful if you have serious criminal convictions, are on barred lists for working with vulnerable groups, have received related cautions, or have committed offenses that clash with job requirements.
Conclusion
DBS checks are limited to criminal records, cautions, and relevant safeguarding information, and do not include internet search histories or private online activities. Over 4 million DBS checks happen each year in the UK, but none access browser data. Organizations can do these screenings while keeping clear boundaries between background verification and personal digital privacy.