Employer tracking phones

Mantoseda

Hello everyone. I consider this is the right place to talk about this case. Recently an employer have been installing some applications on work smartphones. There is something as phone tracking, and they say they do locate only physical location of the phone. I've found that it is mobile phone tracker gpswox.com/en/mobile-apps from gps wox. As I find out there is other apps, like "secret tracking, hidden tracking" apps. Is it legal to do this, do I have to worry about it and about my personal privacy. (I do leave work smartphone at work after hours).

gettingtheresometime

As it's a work's phone & left in the office after hours I don't see an issue with this personally

Presumably its in a secure place after hours & assigned to you. Why are you unhappy about it?

bap98189

It is fairly common practice for employers to have trackers fitted to company vans or cars. This doesn't strike me as any different.

If these are not personal mobiles, and are left in the office when you are not working, then I don't see what the problem is. In fact I can see good reasons for doing so, such as phones being lost.

It would have been good practice for your employer to have told you they were doing this, but it's not illegal.

TBagpuss

It sounds as though they have informed yuyou of how they intend to use the software. It's not illegal, the phones are theirs.

Ozzuk

If you are taking the phone to the toilet and spend hours there then yes, you likely have to worry. Aside from the fact they should tell it's perfectly legal. I know a site that has them fitted in radios to monitor the locations of the maintenance staff.

patman99

Given the growing thefts of high-end smartphones, the company is actually being proactive about being able to track their phones if they are lost/stolen.

I have a tracker installed on my phone for this reason.

Your employer is not doing anything wrong here.

DCFC79

Mantoseda wrote: »

Hello everyone. I consider this is the right place to talk about this case. Recently an employer have been installing some applications on work smartphones. There is something as phone tracking, and they say they do locate only physical location of the phone. I've found that it is mobile phone tracker gpswox.com/en/mobile-apps from gps wox. As I find out there is other apps, like "secret tracking, hidden tracking" apps. Is it legal to do this, do I have to worry about it and about my personal privacy. (I do leave work smartphone at work after hours).

What about your personal privacy ?

You go to work, pick up the works phone and you go about your duties your paid to do, take your breaks when necessary and at end of the day you leave the phone at work.

skintpaul

It's a WORK phone. THEY pay the bills.

NotNormal

Legally they can track their property, the phone, in case of loss or theft. For example the find my iPhone app. As you leave the phone at work when you go home, it shouldn't be an issue as it only becomes an issue if they use it for stalking you during personal time.

Elfbert

My partner used to work for a firm which had tracking software on the work phones - it was an essential part of their 'lone working' plan, as each worker was out visiting companies/sites alone.

At the end of the day they could phone/text/email to say they had finished and then turn their phone off.

Personally I was glad they used it!

baaluo

This is common practice and used by many businesses. It's totally legal as long as the app is installed on a company owned phone.