Sadly, for some, this is not the case. In the COVID and post-COVID world, employees working from home can no longer assume that their activities and interactions are completely private, even when they’re given no indication otherwise. Organizations are increasingly turning to intrusive forms of “tattleware” that are little different from the spyware methods employed by malicious actors. Alternately known as “bossware,” these applications are believed to be present on the work systems of as many as 78 percent of remote workforces, according to a study by network provider ExpressVPN. In a scene seemingly extracted from George Orwell’s novel 1984, tattleware can track the websites visited by staff, the correspondences that they send and other interactions of both a personal and professional nature. The applications also can record keystrokes, webcam footage and GPS data to determine your exact location, as well as what you’re specifically doing at any given time. Often, this software presents detailed statistics regarding productivity, masking itself as efficiency monitoring. More troublingly, your bosses do not even need your permission to use it. “There’s no easy way for employees to find out if their employer is monitoring them,” said Center for Democracy and Technology senior policy counsel for worker privacy, Matt Scherer, in a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times. “While you’re on the clock in the workplace, the employer has pretty broad discretion to establish workplace rules and regulations.” Despite the traction gained by consumer privacy advocates in recent years, the remote world can be intrusive – and sneaky at the same time. Where Does it Stop? Indeed, despite the efforts of some privacy experts, there are no laws on the books to halt this practice. As a remote worker using company equipment, you are subject to company policies and practices in the same way as if you have a company handbook. And it gets worse. The presumption of privacy is not even always limited to a work-issued computer. In increasing instances, some companies have begun requesting that tattleware be installed on personal handsets, tablets and systems. Sure, they cannot do so without your permission. They are not, however, obligated to retain your services if you say no. So, are you being tracked? There is no foolproof way to tell. Certainly, organizations would need to have the necessary resources available. Also, although not exclusively, the size of business operations and laid-back nature of the work environment, as well as a company’s comfort level with remote working, can be good indicators. Another baseline is to consider the active role that your employer has taken in setting up your work system and promoting specific policies governing their use. Are you permitted – or even encouraged – to use a personal device? If so, then your employer is less likely to try to monitor your work. Did they install the necessary collaboration and security software for you, either prior to shipment or via remote connection? This makes tattleware seem more likely. Does an IT department have direct access to your computer, most often under the pretense of keeping it malware free? This capability means it can be exploited to track your activity. Protecting Privacy, and Your Job The first consideration to make is to weigh the importance of your privacy versus the value of your employment. Assuming that the organization is actively – or Employer Surveillance Activities Websites visited/time spent on various websites 66% Apps used/time spent on apps 53% Real-time screen monitoring 53% Active work hours/log times 46% Periodic screen capture 33% Productive vs. unproductive hours logged 31% Chats/messaging logs 30% Monitoring/access to computer files 27% Inbound and outbound emails 23% Transcribed calls 22% Source: Express VPN 47 REMOTE WORK SOLUTIONS rwsmagazine.com
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