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Software to 'spy' on workers

2008-01-16 14:02

Cape Town - Monitoring people at work will be taken to a whole new level if a Microsoft patent application gets the go ahead.

The software giant has reportedly applied for a patent for software capable of spying on workers.

The program will monitor a user's computer activity, automatically offering help solving problems or links to resources.

Workers will be linked to their computers via wireless sensors that measure their metabolism.

This will allow managers to monitor performance by measuring heart rate, temperature, movement, facial expression and blood pressure - in the process weeding out low performers and singling out workers who excel in the jobs.

- News24


C 1/16/2008 2:41:37 PM
Any employer who tries to do that to me will see me resigning.

Nathan 1/16/2008 2:51:46 PM
Can anyone say, "1984"?

Tseko 1/16/2008 2:55:33 PM
thats invading peoples privacy

outsidr 1/16/2008 3:00:15 PM
This is the most intrusive proposal I have ever heard of. It is well known that US law does not respect individual privacy, nor it seems, does Microsoft. I hope the share price tumbles. This is modern day slavery with no respect for the individual's integrity.

Alicia 1/16/2008 3:03:03 PM
The extremely high "gift" packets that people in high places, Eskom, the Government, etc. etc. get paid in this country would make such an invention such an eye opener. Who is actually doing all the work.... that is to say if their computers would also have the monitoring.... I wonder? My particular fancy would be the monitoring of those slaving away while their co-workers are having a jol outside, puffing away. I used to suffer these "attrocities".. I would love someone..thing..to GET THEM!

muscles 1/16/2008 3:03:07 PM
Do your bosses not monitor email websites you go to? they paying you surely keeping track of your performance is not a step too far?

Bob 1/16/2008 3:07:49 PM
This could a interesting case for privacy issues. O f course, if you are at work, you are using your employer's property, and they would have a right to know what is being done on/with their property. How they are going to work the metabolism thing would be interesting.

J 1/16/2008 3:15:25 PM
Bring it on, monitor everone all the time, give criminals nowhere to hide,use the technology outside the work environment to monitor all movement, freedom is overrated.

D Vosloo 1/16/2008 3:18:51 PM
That is just screwed up, as if we dont have enough stress in the work environment. I just cant believe it.

bob 1/16/2008 3:19:48 PM
And they keep on trying to convince you that they see you as more than a number and a body that can make money

CJ 1/16/2008 3:21:19 PM
.. the obvious problem that this would be hugely invasive, what makes them think that your heart rate, temperature, blood pressure, etc indicates whether you're a low performer or excelling at your job?

Yeah right 1/16/2008 3:24:32 PM
Just imagine after lunch stats on this thing in a government departments lol Yeah !! bring it on (hopefully my boss will open her eyes and see who is really working and who should qualify for the annual M/Awards and not use the old tjommie- tjommie business to decide!) Cant wait!

Cornea 1/16/2008 3:25:15 PM
Does the company that pays your salary not have a right to measure your performance? I think people that are not as productive as they should would be hiding behind privacy issues. The hard workers will relish at this idea because they will probably get paid more!!

Kabelo 1/16/2008 3:28:35 PM
Chill guys. Microsoft's technology is prone to attack by hackers. Maybe you don't need to be at work you'll make the software pretend that you there, once it is hacked. Can't wait.

Jogn 1/16/2008 3:39:12 PM
this solutions will never work in SA, how many managers are currently able just to apply their mind when it comes to perfomance assessment. they might as well use it to take out people that they don't get along with

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