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Microsoft develops employee spyware
SOFTWARE Cthulhuoid Microsoft has decided it would be nifty idea if you wired up your employees and monitored how they were feeling.
According to the Times, the Vole has patented computer software that would allow managers to remotely monitor the wellbeing and productivity of employees.
Under the glorious Volish vision you would be plugged into Vista and have your blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate and facial expression monitored by your boss.
According to the patent, the system can tell if the employee is suffering from any frustration or stress and offer help.
However unless it involves machine gunning an overlying intrusive boss, it is hard how the VoleWare could help you much.
The technology has been around for a while. Pilots, fire-fighters and NASA astronauts have been wired up to computers to do their jobs, but it is the first time that someone has tried to do this in the office.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has told the Times that the system has the potential to take the idea of monitoring people at work “to a new level”.
Even in this CCTV ruled world, it is unlikely then that this particular product will ever openly see the light of day.
More here. µ
Tags: Microsoft
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You mean officially like slaves ?
My initial reaction to this was the same as if I found myself coming face-to-face with a slime-covered scorpion : stamp it to death and go take a shower.
But on second thought, I think there just might be a slight potential for good in it after all. You know, like Darth Vader. Responsible for killing untold numbers, but deep down, there was good in him.
What I'm thinking is that this system could possibly become a meaningful management criteria. Imagine a board room meeting where the CEO checks the monthly figures and scolds the directors whose employee satisfaction levels are not up to company standards.
But, nah. It'll never happen. Stomp on that critter and put it out of its misery before it stings.
Just add a rectal probe to the mix
and you have your ultimate Emploee
monitoring/torture device..

"Boss: Bob I've noticed you are feeling discomfort, tell me about it.
Bob: I've got indigestion...
Boss:.. ohh... I'll just give you a mild shock than.. it will amuse me..."
The trick would have to be that the camera would only record information that's meaningful to the computer. So if a comely female coworker is using a private office to change, a perverted boss wouldn't be able to flag these instances and make a convenient video for his viewing pleasure.
A verbal prompt:
* How are you doing today "sbalmer"?

A crashing chair into the 108 Inch LCD screen breaks the silence...

* I did not understand your response, please select from the following options...
The way things are going recently, I can see this possibly being implemented somewhere.

These days the very idea of privacy, and our belief that it is our right whether at work or not, is being compromised.

Just funny how MS have the tech all ready to go, just as soon as someone finds a way to get away with it...