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Employer extreme surveillance

97 replies

Getmeoutofhereitsshit · 21/12/2022 21:43

I recently started a new job with the very best intentions.

This week I have been on a training course. It’s a regulated course and has an exam at the end. it’s being held using zoom.

During the course today I had my camera on and there was suddenly a pink overlay over my camera. I thought perhaps there was a connection problem however a couple of seconds later a message came up on my screen saying another app is accessing my webcam and can see me!

It totally freaked me out. It went on for about 5 minutes. Everyone else in the training camera was fine.

I then emailed the boss saying that I was on a training course and I have to have my camera on and it stopped working due to surveillance. His response call the IT department.

I then contacted an old contact of mine who worked at the company. He told me that they mirror you on the computer and take shots of you and whatever you have on the screen.

They were reported to the union a while ago.

Anyway upon further digging around I found out the app they use for lone working continues to monitor you after you have finished your work activity for a further 3 DAYS. This means we’re being tracked and under surveillance in the evening, holidays and weekends… They also want to use the app in personal vehicles.

Im worried. I work at home and often go open my curtains in the morning in my pjs or undressed. I’m worried my employer has seen me. I live alone.

I’m freaking out. I feel very stressed.

OP posts:
MayThe4th · 21/12/2022 21:45

They can’t monitor you if your laptop isn’t on. But if you’re worried stick a piece of tape over the camera when you’re not using it.

Mumzoo5070 · 21/12/2022 21:47

What MayThe4th said, put tape over your camera, I do that all the time anyway. Not sure how to block microphone though.

Getmeoutofhereitsshit · 21/12/2022 21:48

I’ve stuck black paper over and sellotaped it

OP posts:
ParanoidJo · 21/12/2022 21:49

This is scary. I thought we were still a notch removed from this but seems not. Scary stuff. I’ll be getting the blu tac out.

Getmeoutofhereitsshit · 21/12/2022 21:50

The app is called People Safe

Their customer team told me it continues to monitor for three days

OP posts:
Getmeoutofhereitsshit · 21/12/2022 21:52

They’re GPS tracking.

On Amazon you can buy anti gps bags that stop all signal

you may not have seen them but they are there

OP posts:
Pismascrescents · 21/12/2022 21:52

Tape over the cameras and go to the padlock top left it should show sound and microphone settings. Turn them both off, turn your laptop off fully and put in a cupboard when not working. What industry is this company in?

TheMildManneredMilitant · 21/12/2022 21:53

If it helps I think with People Safe you can force stop so the GPS tracker isn't on when you aren't actually working. Certainly on the version I have you can do that.

The other stuff is concerning though!

Getmeoutofhereitsshit · 21/12/2022 21:54

A male dominated industry

I can’t say exactly as I might give myself away

OP posts:
EsmeT · 21/12/2022 21:56

My old employer told me to download this app and I said not a chance! I wasn't comfortable with being tracked.

ParanoidJo · 21/12/2022 21:56

Is the app for your phone as well? Being a lone worker app, is it something designed to travel with you? Trying to work out why it would be used by an employer for workers sitting at desks, other than to check you’re actually
working… Or is it to monitor online interactions with the public and ‘keep you safe’ somehow? I’d hate the thought of something lurking without my knowledge. What if you used your computer for non work related stuff?

Getmeoutofhereitsshit · 21/12/2022 21:57

@TheMildManneredMilitant

your mistaken - I called the desk

the guy that took the call told me he should not tell me but he did because he hated the app

OP posts:
parietal · 21/12/2022 21:58

are you using a computer provided by work or your own computer?

if work provide the computer, let them put the app on. then when you stop working, turn off & unplug the computer & put it in a cupboard until you start work again.

if it is your home computer, delete the app and claim 'tech issues' whenever they ask you to install it again.

Getmeoutofhereitsshit · 21/12/2022 22:00

I don’t use the computer for anything other than work

the app is on a mobile phone and they expect you to use it at home !

Also when going out for meetings.

The manager can see your exact location on a screen

OP posts:
ohioriver · 21/12/2022 22:02

Is it your laptop and phone or theirs?

Getmeoutofhereitsshit · 21/12/2022 22:02

I’m ordering an anti gps tracker bag on Amazon

I refuse to be under surveillance in my home

OP posts:
Getmeoutofhereitsshit · 21/12/2022 22:03

Laptop / phone are there’s

I have my own phone

OP posts:
Getmeoutofhereitsshit · 21/12/2022 22:04

Is anyone else freaked out at this

ive Never had this before

OP posts:
ohioriver · 21/12/2022 22:06

Leave the laptop and phone turned off in a cupboard when you're not working.

ohioriver · 21/12/2022 22:08

I wfh. I turn my laptop properly off and turn off my work mobile when I'm not working. They stay in a bag in a cupboard.

Most employers have keyloggers and trackers and such likes nowadays - if you don't want them to surveil you outside of working hours turn the devices off and put them in a cupboard. Your employer will know your address so you don't need a gps bag.

What does your contract say about tracking you whilst working?

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 21/12/2022 22:09

Shut your laptop down, shut it and unplug it when you're not working.

Getmeoutofhereitsshit · 21/12/2022 22:11

Nothing about tracking or surveillance

the people safe app is referenced in policy. It states one sentence. The app must be used!

OP posts:
Computersaysno123 · 21/12/2022 22:12

Can't believe people are saying just cover the camera, like it's not sick as fuck and needs a serious investigation that blue tac won't solve. oh my god!!

ohioriver · 21/12/2022 22:13

Right so you signed that contract?

So. Use the app when you're working on their phone. Turn phone / laptop properly off then you're not.

No drama. 🤷🏼‍♀️

MechanicaHound · 21/12/2022 22:15

Computersaysno123 · 21/12/2022 22:12

Can't believe people are saying just cover the camera, like it's not sick as fuck and needs a serious investigation that blue tac won't solve. oh my god!!

This.

Are we all OK with being under surveillance every minute of our working day, our screen monitored at all times and a microphone recording everything we say?

Not to mention the 3 days afterwards thing.... This isn't acceptable even for working hours.