The Rise of Bossware: New Technology Enables Invasive Employee Monitoring
Technology that allows employers to monitor keystrokes, listen to conversations, and track movements is becoming increasingly prevalent in the workplace. With hybrid work becoming the new norm in the wake of the pandemic, companies are turning to intrusive tools to monitor their employees, even in office settings.
Bossware, as it is commonly known, has traditionally been used by companies like Amazon to manage warehouse staff and allegedly predict unionizing efforts. However, it is now infiltrating office jobs. Employee monitoring software like Veriato and CleverControl offer employers greater control over their distributed workforce by logging various aspects of productivity. While these tools may seem beneficial to companies, privacy campaigners argue that combining extensive worker data with AI’s predictive abilities can lead to disastrous consequences.
Diego Naranjo, head of policy at the international advocacy group European Digital Rights, attests to the alarming trend, stating, The spying-on of workers in Amazon warehouses is at the extreme end, with employees controlled to the point of when they use the toilet or have a break — which was unthinkable a few years ago. Paranoia and lack of trust in the workforce from upper management has seemingly worsened, and it’s trickled down to remote office work now — but also the price of software has gone down and availability has gone up, so controlling workers in this way has become easier.
The tools employed to monitor employees, collectively referred to as bossware, are becoming increasingly sophisticated and covert. StandoutCV, a UK-based online resume builder, conducted an analysis of 50 popular employee monitoring tools, discovering that a quarter of them had more invasive features compared to the previous year. There has been a surge in mechanisms that facilitate location tracking (up by 45 percent), video/camera monitoring (up by 42 percent), document scanning (up by 26 percent), and attendance tracking (up by 20 percent).
Teramind, a Miami-based user behavior analytics platform, was found to have the most intrusive features by StandOutCV. With a client base of 5,000 employers across 12 countries, Teramind provides detailed information on websites visited, apps used, files accessed, and even monitors sent emails and instant messages. According to Isaac Kohen, the founder and CTO of Teramind, their capabilities allow employers to watch or listen to employees’ video or phone conversations in excruciating detail, both at home and in the workplace. Veriato and CleverControl offer similar features, with Veriato also including GPS tracking and CleverControl tracking a wide range of employee activities but not location or document scanning.
When approached for comment, Kohen clarified that Teramind does not have, nor does it seek, the ability to access webcams.
As the use of bossware continues to grow, it raises concerns about privacy and trust in the workplace. Experts warn that the combination of extensive data collection and AI-driven predictive capabilities poses significant risks. Employers must strike a balance between maintaining productivity and respecting employees’ right to privacy.
The rise of bossware highlights the need for a comprehensive and transparent framework that addresses employee monitoring. It is essential to ensure that these tools are used responsibly and do not infringe upon employees’ fundamental rights. As the boundaries between work and home become increasingly blurred, organizations must prioritize the well-being and autonomy of their workforce while fostering a culture of trust and collaboration.
In conclusion, while bossware may offer benefits in terms of workforce control and productivity management for companies, the potential risks to employee privacy and well-being cannot be ignored. Balancing the need for oversight with respect for individual rights is crucial in the evolving landscape of work.
