Here’s how to protect your privacy when your boss is spying on you with any of these tools.
On Slack, surveillance software can see private messages, private channels – and a complete history of everything you’ve ever Slacked to anyone.
- Use private messages on Slack for professional work-related discussions only because your boss can easily read them.’
- Don’t take part in any private channel discussions that you wouldn’t want your boss to read.
- Don’t assume that you’re safe just because it may have been six months since you said something controversial in a private chat on Slack because your boss may still be able to access it.
While Zoom has disabled some of its more controversial snooping tools, your boss can still use it to monitor your work activity.
- Keep your work Zoom account for work meetings and use a personal one for personal meetings.
- If you need to record a meeting and don’t want it seen, save it to your desktop.
- Your boss can read any messages you send directly to colleagues within meetings afterwards in the saved transcription, so resist the temptation to make jokes or criticise the host.
3. Microsoft Teams
The same goes for Microsoft Teams, except there even the calls you’ve made using Teams or its Microsoft 365 Business Voice extension are fair game – as is your location.
- While using the software, be aware that everything you say and type can potentially be seen or heard.
- Stay active when you are meant to be active and avoid taking longer breaks or finishing early.
- Be sure to be where your company expects you to be instead of working from a nearby bar.
- For Google Workspace users, don’t let branding fool you. Your emails (even your drafts) are visible, as well as anything you’ve uploaded or created in a Workspace app.
And don’t think you’re out of sight using your work cell phone on the weekend. Employers can install hidden software on your device that tracks your movements via GPS, all SMS messages and other messaging app usage, and even record calls and Skype interactions.
