The Rise of AI Surveillance and the Battle for Employee Privacy Rights

The Rise of AI Surveillance and the Battle for Employee Privacy Rights

As remote and hybrid work continue to expand, the technology available to managers has evolved to include sophisticated monitoring tools known as "bossware" These tools go beyond simply tracking the number of hours an employee spends in front of a computer screen; they now rely on artificial intelligence to analyze mouse movements, read body language via webcams, and even analyze tone of voice in meetings to measure "enthusiasm" or "engagement." This trend raises profound questions about privacy and modern work culture. A technological and social analysis of this trend suggests that these systems are reviving Taylorism, but with a precision that even Frederick Taylor never imagined. The goal is to transform the human employee into a series of data points that can be measured and improved. Companies defend these practices by citing the need to ensure productivity and protect information assets, especially in remote work, but the practical result is often a…