Remote work increased the justification for employee monitoring software, and the practice is now spreading to office environments. Nine monitoring platforms were tested, including Apploye, Deputy, Desklong, Hubstaff, Monitask, Buddy Punch, Time Doctor 2, Vericlock, and When I Work. These tools track keystrokes, mouse clicks, location, device information, and web visits. All nine platforms shared personal details such as names, email addresses, and employer information with technology and advertising companies. Employee activity data was sent to more than 145 domains, including Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Yandex, and AppLovin. A third of the apps provided precise location tracking even in the background, enabling monitoring beyond desks. The result is broader third-party tracking with limited worker control.
"The researchers tested nine “bossware” platforms, including Apploye, Deputy, Desklong, Hubstaff, Monitask, Buddy Punch, Time Doctor 2, Vericlock, and When I Work. These tools let employers track activity through keystrokes, mouse clicks, location, device information, and web visits."
"Northeastern found that all nine platforms shared workers' personal details, including names, email addresses, and employer information, with tech and advertising companies. Employee activity data was also sent to more than 145 domains, including Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Yandex, and AppLovin."
"A third of the apps also offered precise location tracking, even when running in the background. Choffnes warned that this turns monitoring software into something that can follow workers beyond their desks."
"What this broadly means is that employee data may not stay between the worker, the employer, and the monitoring app. It can move into a much wider third-party tracking network, often without employees having much control over where it goes or how it is used."
Read at Digital Trends
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