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AIBU?

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Original poster

To consider this request beyond unreasonable?

108 replies

luckylucky24 · 24/04/2017 12:33

DH has just text me to say his work have asked him to install an app that gives them access to his photos, browsing data and location.
His phones is full of pictures of our kids, some in the bath etc. This aside I feel this is a huge invasion of privacy. Surely the don't have a leg to stand on? Can they enforce this?

OP posts:
Original poster
luckylucky24 · 24/04/2017 13:26

I am going out now but appreciate the thoughts and advice. Will check back in soon.

OP posts:
OnionKnight · 24/04/2017 13:26

Hell no, they can take a running jump.

Birdsgottaf1y · 24/04/2017 13:28

Watch Loose Women on catch-up, the guests experience of her and her two year olds pictures being put on a website which incited sexual violence towards Women, by a work colleague, gives you all that you need as a good reason.

He did it to others but only got a suspended sentence and doesn't have to sign on the Sex Offenders register, so could easily do it again.

UnderTheDesk · 24/04/2017 13:32

If his company uses professional gmail, then the new google two-step authentication requires access to your private data if you access your work mails on your phone.

They wanted to introduce this in my place, but a good few people kicked off and refused, so they had to withdraw it eventually. (I would have refused too, except I never use my phone to access work mails). It's totally unreasonable, IMO.

AntagonyAunt · 24/04/2017 13:33

What Bluntless, sparechange, and Lurking said.
Lots of apps require those permissions to function.
The best thing for him to do is to discuss his concerns with his manager or ICT Team and they should be able to put his mind at rest.
If he does decide to install it then it's up to him as to whether he actually wants to check the emails outside of working hours.

LurkingHusband · 24/04/2017 13:38

The best thing for him to do is to discuss his concerns with his manager or ICT Team and they should be able to put his mind at rest

The problem is, you need to start from a position of trust, which - if were the OPs DH - I certainly wouldn't have.

Morphene · 24/04/2017 13:46

Ha - I actually have a non-smart phone, so I would just be handing it over looking puzzled and asking them how to do it.

Trifleorbust · 24/04/2017 13:47

Erm. No.

lazyleo · 24/04/2017 13:48

I think this is becoming more common. My DH works for a big multinational and we went through this recently. He used his own phone for work as well as personal use, but changes about a year ago saw a new policy brought in where they wanted some kind of access, possibly remote access to the phone, which would cover photos etc although they really aren't interested in those tbh. In the end my DH refused to effectivley allow them carte blanche access to his personal phone and took a works one instead. Its cheaper for us in the long run as they pay the phone bill now, (which tbh is rarely used for personal calls anyway) :D

UppityHumpty · 24/04/2017 13:49

Is it called Good or Citrix? If so on an iphone at least you can stop it from accessing photos manually.

AntagonyAunt · 24/04/2017 13:49

Lurking True.
I would be shocked and disgusted if the employer wanted to install this app with the sole purpose of spying on their enployees under the guise of email.
I would sooner refuse altogether than spending my own money on a separate phone.

TheTabardOfDoom · 24/04/2017 13:54

I agree with PPs. Hand over a £7.99 phone from Lidl with a quizzical expression and have done with it.

LurkingHusband · 24/04/2017 14:07

I suspect that the management haven't a clue what they are installing, except that someone at a conference somewhere managed to bamboozle persuade them that "they needed it".

(Generally, Dilbert is a documentary series with drawings rather than actors.)

Anyway, surely, if the OPs DH has nothing to hide, they have nothing to fear ? After all, that's what we are told when the government wants access to everything. And their track record (unlike the company in question which is so far spotless) is hardly stellar to start with.

AnnieAnoniMouse · 24/04/2017 14:10

Nope. Hell has not frozen over.

PolynesianGirl · 24/04/2017 14:11

Tbf, if you read the small prints, a LOT of apps are asking to have access to photos, emails adresses etc...
I've just bought a new computer and in the name of improving the way to computer heaves, they were doing exactly the same thing.

So in some ways, it IS a non event as it is very likely that your DH already has a few apps that are doing the same thing.
It's not his company that will have access to those. It's whoever has created it.
Re them being annoyed re being unable to answer emails outside work. You need to ask yourself why he has ended up in that situation in the first place, one where he ended up answering emails on his personal phone during his paternity leave....
If he is not supposed to be on call 24/7, then this is something that needs to be addressed. Starting with him not answering emails when he is at home (a very bad habit to get into IMO)

Quartz2208 · 24/04/2017 14:19

In order for us to access webmail we need air watch which is similar. I don't need it as I always have my laptop or the space on iPad but reading about it it's not as bad as it sounds.

Lots of apps ask for that access

FrenchLavender · 24/04/2017 14:20

I would not do this. If they want to insist I install certain apps for work purposes then they provide me with a phone for work use.

No way would I do this and I am really surprised that a) they feel they can ask, and b) anyone actually agrees to it.

FrenchLavender · 24/04/2017 14:21

Polynesian I get your point, but I wouldn't be taking any chances with my employer.

nocake · 24/04/2017 14:23

It's a commercial email app that requires access to photos, files etc so you can attach them to emails or save any that are sent by email. As it's a commercial app, and not one built by your DH's company, it's unlikely to do anything nefarious and the company won't be able to look at anything on his phone.

But... if by refusing to install it he has escaped the "always present" demands of the company then that's a win Grin

LurkingHusband · 24/04/2017 14:26

Tbf, if you read the small prints, a LOT of apps are asking to have access to photos, emails adresses etc..

Generally lazy coding. I find myself wondering why my Satnav app needs access to my photos ?

Some food for thought here

It's worth bearing in mind, that not only are you trusting your companies IT department (which in the OPs DH case sounds like one of the directors nephews) to install and configure the app properly. You are also trusting that the app itself is bugfree and has not/cannot be compromised in anyway. And all of that is before you start to consider what the app may -or may not- be able to do on the device.

Devorak · 24/04/2017 14:26

These apps require these permissions should he want to send a photo or file in the future.

A large company will have strict data protection protocols. It's taken seriously.

You and your husband are nieve. I'm surprised he called to ask you what you think. I'm surprised you said no. Do you think this company is secretly supplying images of children in the bath to the internet?

Devorak · 24/04/2017 14:26

These apps require these permissions should he want to send a photo or file in the future.

A large company will have strict data protection protocols. It's taken seriously.

You and your husband are nieve. I'm surprised he called to ask you what you think. I'm surprised you said no. Do you think this company is secretly supplying images of children in the bath to the internet?

LurkingHusband · 24/04/2017 14:26

It's a commercial email app that requires access to photos, files etc so you can attach them to emails or save any that are sent by email. As it's a commercial app, and not one built by your DH's company, it's unlikely to do anything nefarious and the company won't be able to look at anything on his phone.

And you say this because ?

LurkingHusband · 24/04/2017 14:27

A large company will have strict data protection protocols. It's taken seriously.

Clearly not at the company in question. No ISO. No ISP.

Lennielala · 24/04/2017 14:30

Not a chance