Can Your Boss Put a Tracking Device on You?

"Those of us trying to lose some pounds after overindulging this holiday season can get help from a slew of smartphone apps that count steps climbed and calories burned. Self-tracking has also become a way for companies to make money using your fitness data. And some experts worry that the data collected could be used against users in the long run.

At a recent Quantified Self Meetup in downtown San Francisco, technology lovers are testing homemade do-it-yourself devices on people eager to measure their mind and body."*

More employers are looking to put tracking devices on their employees. Right now, they say it's to keep track of health and exercise, but is that justifiable? Is there room for abuse and invasion of privacy? Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian break it down.

*Read more from Aarti Shahani/ NPR:

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[Hasb]

Cenk was so high for this segment, we need more of this.

[WastingTimeHandle]

"A life of freedom, with its resulting responsibility, does not appeal to the timid."

[lgically]

This is exactly the kind of stuff that strikes and general work stoppages were made for.

[AlienPet]

Now what you just explained there is very well put. I know what you mean... complex systems (even if well intended) can get out of control due to all the compartmentalization. Government then becomes a mindless, heartless beast and many things fall though the cracks. Such a dilemma but we are facing a growing population. Just not sure smaller Gov, meaning fewer managers to handle the needs of more and more people, is going to be better or worse.

Excellent points though. Glad you posted it.

[jbranstetter]

It was taxation without representation that we fought against initially. After the war had been going on for a number of years, the British offered us everything we had demanded, but by then it was about something different—a free and independent people who were different than those in Europe. After we broke free from our European chains, we became a self-governing people, unlike any country in Europe. As for the slavery that Britain implanted here, we were finally able to rid ourselves of it.

[Fromond]

I have school, then work. Not much free-time, plus study, even less free-time. It's not like I don't go outside, but I literally don't go out very often.

[cne]

It won't be long until tracking devices in people becomes mandatory.

[romperstompist]

I looked into it, and yes you are certainly speaking the truth. Scary stuff. Thanks for making me aware of this.

[SerinaJK]

Exactly! Most of us have already had the type of boss who likes to meddle in our personal lives. The possibility of this happening is all too real if we don't say no to it. Do we value ourselves or money and the corporate world?

[Inkognitohaloramics]

Whenever I hear the words "tracking device" or "surveillance" my gut reaction is "no."

[jbranstetter]

As a business owner I interact with many state government employees. In my area they're almost all very nice people just doing their job. But when you put it all together, the power and intrusiveness of the government, especially on businesses, it's quite evil. Also what happens is that particular businesses or business groups get favors done by government, resulting in them having an advantage over other businesses. I think the only way to lesson the impact of this is to downsize government.

[SkepticalAaron]

I think they really want to do it to monitor how much you're working or not working.

[CLASHofTHElonders]

we're so close, to something better left unknown

[Prdigy]

This would be so ironic if all those dystopian scenarios became true and people wouldnt even notice.

[dog]

No! It's illegal to do it in the workplace. Would you like it someone monitors your every move, even if you have to go to the restroom? I wouldn't. It's sickening!

[Susie_Legion_DBD]

I didn't get what I wanted for Christmas.

It was a worker's revolution.

[mnhsty]

The employer cannot monitor the device without violating HIPPAA, so this is just for the employees's own information.

[ikhonsu]

One more reason why employers shouldn't be responsible for their employee's healthcare in the first place. Personally I'd like it to be more economical for individuals and families to own their own health care.

[KL]

We need new worker rights law that fits today's abuses.

[soylentgreenb]

In a free an open society it is the people who have privacy and the government that is transparent, not the other way around.