European job applicants risk checking their social media before hiring them.

European officials have issued new guidelines that warn bosses about the legal hazards of scrolling through the social media profiles of potential hires.

The rules require employers to issue a disclaimer before they check applicants' online accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and LinkedIn. If applicants don't see the warning, the company could be in breach of European Union data protection rules.

Employers are also barred from compiling social media data as part of the hiring process unless it is "necessary and relevant" for a particular job.

The guidelines are part of a lengthy document clarifying data protection laws that apply to employers across 28 EU countries.

PICTURE CREDIT: mausatf.com