Friday, January 18, 2008

office spyware



Was watching CNN this morning and it seems that Microsoft has just patented a new thing called Office Spyware. It'll allow employers to watch what they're employees are doing on their computers, gauge their heartbeats, temperature and such. Until recently, it's only been used by NASA and in fighter jets.

Makes me wonder... would you want your employer watching what you're doing on your computer? They could call it up remotely, even, and watch you w/out you ever knowing... but hey, I guess it's no different than what they're doing here w/ respect to listening in on telephone conversations to the Middle East and such.

Seems a bit creepy to me, and not something I'd like at all. Who wants to be watched like that? I can't even stand someone to stand behind me when I'm typing...

5 comments:

Rock Chef said...

That sort of thing has been around for a while. About 10 years ago I remember seeing one where they could override your mouse and keyboard for you too!

Um Naief said...

rock chef, my husband has something like that in the house.. we can see each computer and stuff that we have... i didn't realize it was the same thing.

i think the thing that gets me about this is that i just think it's wrong in the work place, altho many will disagree because they'll think it'll improve productivity, which i guess if you're a slacker, it will. i don't like the idea of someone watching me, like i'm doing something wrong. what if you want to take a break, surf the net and such... it shouldn't be considered bad unless you're doing no work and goofing off all day.

Jahooni said...

I would be fired. that is forsure ;-)

The Moody Minstrel said...

My employer already is looking at what I do on my computer...or at least what I put on my blog.

(Yeah, I know...I asked for it.)

Olivia said...

Oh no! I lost my comment!

I was saying that I heard about this practice some years ago, probably when it was in development and then read the Microsoft blurb last week. So it's becoming a reality I guess.