Facebook spying costs Canadian woman her health benefits

On the surface, the twisted tale of Nathalie Blanchard seems to be yet another cautionary tale about how Facebook isn't really private, how social media can get you fired, and how the internet is a cruel mistress. On a deeper level, Blanchard's story indicates the growing popularity -- and danger -- of Facebook spies.

Blanchard, a Quebec employee of IBM, has been on longterm sick leave since Valentine's Day 2008, when she was diagnosed with major depression. For the ensuing year and a half, she has lived off monthly payments from her health insurance company, Manulife.