AIBU to think companies track employees working from home?

[Listeningin]

Recently I've had some odd conversations with colleagues including my manager which seem related to things I've said at home and never mentioned to anyone at work. Some are probably coincidences but it's happened enough that I'm starting to wonder. e.g. related to specific passing comments to my partner that I just wouldn't say to anyone at work as it's unprofessional to discuss other colleagues

Working from home with a company managed laptop there's probably some sort of tracking software installed but it seems like audio might be tracked outside of meetings or when the microphone is on mute. I also installed company mobile software onto my personal mobile to make it easier to arrange childcare around work which also makes me wonder if some things are tracked through there. The company mobile thing says it can track which personal apps you have installed but not the data.

I'm a pretty boring person and sure that companies don't monitor individual conversations, but AIBU to think companies have programs that can automatically track certain words or something - similar to e.g. alexa waking up when a key word is said?

They wouldn’t be allowed to do this without your consent.

No that would be illegal.

I'd say very unlikely but always best to never say never. Pretty happy to say that you are unreasonable to think it happens on any large scale

But, if it is happening I hope you're not posting from your phone or laptop as they now know you know😀

Yes, it's possible, is the short version

What sort of tracking software is on your company tech?

If you think your manager is actively listening to you when they shouldn't be, they're breaking the law. I vaguely recall another poster talking about this, it was a very long thread but might have been removed.

can you remove the company software from yoiur personal phone?

If it was happening, it wouldn’t be your manager that had access to the information.

Plus, when it comes to tracking and converting that information into conversation it would be a massive amount of man hours.

Do you think your manager is sitting there sifting through your data for hours so he can construct a topic of conversation with you?

Some colleagues have mentioned key stroke tracking software, but unsure whether this would have the ability to track audio.

Removing the company software sounds like a good idea and if out of hours work is needed I guess it would be best to request a company phone.

I agree that your manager listening is unlikely

but not impossible. This link is from the US, but might be useful.

https://www.spadalawgroup.com/blog/5-ways-your-boss-can-watch-you-at-home-legally-remote-work.cfm

X post
keystroke sems really old now.

this might be helpful
https://www.pcworld.com/article/397400/computer-privacy-why-your-laptops-microphone-should-be-easier-to-block.html

Things do seem to be more controlled now, but I have heard about personal conversations in office meeting rooms being recorded.

Around 20 years ago I sat with someone from IT who had access to the emails of everyone in the company and at the work Christmas party he told everyone about the dodgy sites that some of our colleagues visited.

Audio tracking is obviously a different level, but I'm not fully up to date with corporate level tracking software.

X posting everywhere!
can you put your laptop in a cupboard when not in use? And stick some foam over the microphone when not in use?

Thanks for the link, a microphone kill switch really should be more widely available. It would make it easy to switch off and remove any potential privacy concerns

Good idea actually! I normally leave it on my desk but physically covering the mic and putting away would solve the problem!

Have a conversation about being headhunted...
how it's much more pay and an exciting opportunity
But you just don't know... you have such an amazing boss and you're so loyal to your company

😁

😄good idea!

If you're worried, find the microphone on your laptop and stick some blu tac on it whenever you're not on a call.

But no, I don't think it's very likely that they do this. It would be a complete breach of GDPR (and illegal), and really who has the time to sit and listen to all your conversations anyway?

It’s not impossible but they’d be opening themselves up to huge fines under GDPR.

You do understand that businesses can act unlawfully?

Its so time intensive and honestly I doubt they're bothered what you talk about outside of work. Far more likely you've mentioned stuff without realising before or left your mic on following a teams call or something.

I think it is highly unlikely. Who has the time to sit and listen to hours and hours of meetings / conversations?

Interesting re the mobile. We no longer have company mobiles but I’ve installed outlook and teams from the company portal app onto my personal phone, for my own convenience. They can’t track my personal usage of other apps, internet searches can they?

Why do people bang on about GDPR? It's nothing to do with GDPR. It's been illegal since long before the introduction of GDPR legislation.

I agree 100%, absolutely nothing to do with GDPR.

I'd think of that as paranoia tbh. Do you have other mental health concerns or has anyone said anything to you about your mental health?

Try and be realistic about this - of course that's not happening unless you work will highly privileged tech or something!

So all employees at the firm are recorded - there must be a massive team employed to sit and listen to all the audio? What are they listening for and what do they do with the things they learn? To what end? How have none of them whistleblown about this illegal practice? Why would they then tell your manager, surely the managers are being spied on too?

Daft

It's possible but highly unlikely.

As a PP has said, it's more likely that you've left the microphone on by accident, or forgotten to mute yourself while talking to DP during a meeting.