Unit 6
Tech Exploration
Is Big Brother watching now?
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angt-unit6-techexp.mp3
A third of UK employers are using “bossware” technology to track workers' activity with the most common methods including monitoring emails and web browsing.
Private companies are most likely to deploy in-work surveillance and one in seven employers are recording or reviewing screen activity, according to a UK-wide survey that estimates the extent of office snooping.
The findings, shared with The Guardian by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), are based on responses from hundreds of UK managers and suggest there has been a recent growth in computerised work surveillance. [...]
Many monitoring systems are aimed at preventing insider threats and safeguarding sensitive information as well as detecting productivity dips. But the trend appears to be causing unease. A large minority of managers are opposed to the practice, saying it undermines trust with staff and invades their personal privacy, the CMI found. [...]
One provider of employee monitoring offers to report on workers' “idle time,” “employee productivity tracking” and use of unapproved AI or social media as well as “real-time insights into employee behaviour, including screenshots, screen recordings, keystrokes, and app usage.”
In response to the findings, the ICO said bosses “must make their employees aware of the nature, extent and reasons for monitoring,” and said excessive monitoring “can undermine people's privacy especially if they are working from home.” It warned it will “take action if necessary.” [...]
Monitoring often amounts to checks that inappropriate content is not being accessed, the CMI said. But it warned, “there's a longer-term impact if you are feeling this is big brother-like and you are being watched.”
Private companies are most likely to deploy in-work surveillance and one in seven employers are recording or reviewing screen activity, according to a UK-wide survey that estimates the extent of office snooping.
The findings, shared with The Guardian by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), are based on responses from hundreds of UK managers and suggest there has been a recent growth in computerised work surveillance. [...]
Many monitoring systems are aimed at preventing insider threats and safeguarding sensitive information as well as detecting productivity dips. But the trend appears to be causing unease. A large minority of managers are opposed to the practice, saying it undermines trust with staff and invades their personal privacy, the CMI found. [...]
One provider of employee monitoring offers to report on workers' “idle time,” “employee productivity tracking” and use of unapproved AI or social media as well as “real-time insights into employee behaviour, including screenshots, screen recordings, keystrokes, and app usage.”
In response to the findings, the ICO said bosses “must make their employees aware of the nature, extent and reasons for monitoring,” and said excessive monitoring “can undermine people's privacy especially if they are working from home.” It warned it will “take action if necessary.” [...]
Monitoring often amounts to checks that inappropriate content is not being accessed, the CMI said. But it warned, “there's a longer-term impact if you are feeling this is big brother-like and you are being watched.”
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Facial recognition cameras, London.
Vidéo associée
From 1:11 to 3:41Ressource affichée de l'autre côté.
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Communication
1-A
According to the article, how and why are employers using surveillance technologies at work?
2-A
What concerns are raised about these practices?
3-A
How does the video help us understand why surveillance technologies are becoming more widespread today?
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Science
1-B
Watch the video. Explain what computer vision is and how it works.
2-B
What types of data about humans are most commonly extracted by computer vision systems, according to the research?
3-B
Using both documents, explain how a technology designed for efficiency can also become a tool for surveillance.
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Over to you!
Communication
Write an editorial article.
As a journalist, react to workplace surveillance and AI monitoring. Choose your angle (critical, warning, or balanced), then create a headline and a paragraph explaining your position and the risks or benefits you see for workers today.
Science
Read before use.
You are part of a tech design team working on an AI monitoring system. Write a “warning label” explaining what the technology does and what it is used for. Include one major benefit and one major risk linked to surveillance.
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