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Ever feel like big brother is watching you while you go about your working day? You could be right.
New research from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) shows a third of UK employers are using ‘bossware’ technology to track workers’ activity — and this is just the managers who know about and admit to it, so the true figure is likely to be higher.
Emails and web browsing are the most common things for companies to spy on, while one in seven go as far as recording or reviewing staff screen activity, apparently in an effort to safeguard sensitive information and spot productivity issues.
But the findings have sparked privacy concerns from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which told firms they ‘must make their employees aware of the nature, extent and reasons for monitoring’ and warning it will ‘take action’ against those who breach rules.
According to Eric O’Neill, cybersecurity expert, former FBI operative and author of Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime, these surveillance systems typically ‘log keyboard and mouse activity, track apps and websites, and sometimes grab screenshots or webcam shots.’
‘It’s fairly common since the Covid pandemic, when many employers implemented home working,’ Jakub Vávra, threat operations analyst at Avast, tells Metro. ‘Lacking the ability to monitor employees directly, some started utilising monitoring software to track performance remotely instead’.
Do employers need consent to use surveillance tech?
‘Employers must declare the use of monitoring or surveillance software to employees by law in most countries,’ Jakub explains. ‘Direct consent is likely required either as part of the employment contract or before using a monitored device.’
Although the majority of businesses will go through the proper channels and disclose tracking measures, he advises employees to ‘assume that most actions, such as visited websites, keystrokes, GPS and even camera and microphone may be monitored’ while using company-owned devices or work accounts.
In most cases, it’s all above board, and you’ll be well aware of what your boss can and can’t see.
But there are a few telltale signs that give away covert snooping. This is what to look out for.
New apps or services you didn’t install
Eric tells Metro that ‘new background apps or services you didn’t install’ are one of the biggest clues you’re being spied on.
Check your system tray, the processes tab in task manager, or activity monitor if you use a Mac; bossware programs will normally have names ‘like ActivTrak or Time Doctor’.
Vasily Kolesnikov, security expert at Kaspersky, also highlights ‘unfamiliar software or browser extensions’ as things to keep an eye out for, but advises anyone concerned to ‘inquire directly with IT or HR.’
‘Managed by your organisation’
If you spot this message popping up on your browser, your computer usage may not be for your eyes only.
While many companies only control web browser settings for safety reasons – for example, limiting automatic updates so they don’t mess with workplace systems – others install extensions and monitor activity this way.
Constant VPN connections
If an employer is trying to access your device, Eric warns that they may ask you to connect to a specific VPN that ‘allows traffic inspection’.
Alternatively, they might install new security certificates that bypass encryption and intercept your browsing activity — and since most people simply click ‘okay’ on these types of notifications, they’ll be none the wiser at what’s really going on.
Unexplained glitches
Eric explains that ‘periodic pop-ups or odd screen flickers’ could be a sign your device is being screenshotted remotely.
‘Where actual stalkerware or undeclared “bossware” monitoring software is used to secretly spy on employees, the victim may notice some odd behaviour such as unusual pop-up messages, error messages or changed system settings,’ adds Jakub.
‘On mobile devices, you may notice faster battery drain, suspicious apps that you didn’t install, and the device may turn on by itself.’
Performance review red flags
Beyond the tech itself, your performance review may betray the fact you’re being bugged.
According to Eric, it’s a dead giveaway when evaluations ‘cite “idle time” or “activity scores” rather than actual work outcomes.’
‘If HR is taking note, they are looking at logs of your activity,’ he adds,
How to protect yourself from bossware tech
‘For workers, the best defense is awareness, not paranoia,’ says Eric. ‘Assume that company hardware and networks aren’t private, and that anything done on them is logged somewhere.’
It’s may be worth checking your device settings: on Windows, look under ‘access work or school’; on Mac, look for new management profiles; in Chrome, visit chrome://policy to see enforced rules.
However, trying to bypass monitoring rarely works, with the surveillance specialistexplaining: ‘Mouse jigglers and other tricks can get you flagged. Instead, ask HR or IT for the official monitoring policy, which employers in many regions are legally required to disclose. And if you’re concerned, keep sensitive personal browsing and communications off company devices altogether.’
Anna Larkin, web content and privacy analysis expert at Kaspersky also tells Metro: ‘Employees must protect their personal privacy by maintaining a clear separation between work and personal devices. Using work devices for personal purposes – like logging into social media or personal email – can expose personal data to monitoring, as these devices are subject to employer oversight.’
The pros and cons of bossware are hotly debated, even among the managers who took part in the CMI study exposing the technique — one of whom called it ‘unsettling’.
Birgit Schyns, professor in organisational behaviour at NEOMA Business School agrees, telling Metro: ‘Close monitoring by a supervisor, or micro-management, erodes trust in the supervisor, particularly if staff perceive that the supervisor does not trust them.’
‘When employees feel like their leader is looking over their shoulder, this can negatively influence initiative-taking and lead to sticking only to what is required (quiet quitting).’
In some instances, snooping may even cause people to actually quit, increasing staff turnover.
Professor Schyns argues that companies may secretly track workers because they feel it’s ‘necessary to control the process that leads to an outcome, rather than the outcome alone.’
However, she adds: ‘In my humble opinion, not communicating and being open about what is monitored and why is always a sign of mistrust in the employee…
‘Organisations should ask themselves what the goal is of covert digital monitoring and whether or not the associated costs associated are worth it.’
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