Ethical level of LinkedIn Invites falling?

Who knows - I can honestly say - I am starting to get very annoyed with the quality of LinkedIn invites recently. I can no longer count how many requests I get that list me as “business partners” from companies I’ve never worked with (or in most cases, even heard of). What happened to one recruiting just wanting to connect with another recruiter? All of the phony “Larry has indicated you are a business partner at widget company” requests come from recruiters. Is this a hint of things to come? I know I haven’t been in this industry nearly as long as others - but - are we on a downward trend in quality of recruiter? I know I am only speaking about a small percentage of the recruiting world… but… is anyone else noticing this as well?

I’ve been “suspended” multiple times for having “I don’t know this person” responses from my invites - and while I am annoyed when it happens… I am not going to lie about how I don’t really know the person. There is a discussion on another forum where a respected member of the recruiting community has been bashed because he didn’t accept an invite from someone he didn’t know. What’s is going on with public networking?

For the record - I am an open networker - but please don't lie about knowing me. I will no longer accept phony "business partner" requests and click the dreaded "I don't know this person" button.

Okay - I feel better now… anyone else need a good vent about it?

Oh wait!  I've got to have my YouTube video for the post.  I think this is kind of fitting - but most entertaining if nothing else!