'It will eventually backfire': Companies use smart seats, Wi-Fi to track employees

As monitoring grows, some Chinese workers push back. (Image credit: mp.weixin.qq.com/Shutterstock)

• Chinese firms use tech to closely monitor employees
• Employees report discomfort and push back with privacy tools
• Monitoring tips trend on social media, sparking debate on privacy

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Certain Chinese companies have begun tracking employees using Wi-Fi, cameras and smart seating systems. A Guangzhou-based employee discovered a camera above her desk after declining a business trip as she was unwell, Worker’s Daily reported.

In January, she said her manager had warned her against using private group chats during office hours. She later checked the camera’s storage and found it had recorded text and images from her phone and computer, according to SCMP.

In another case, Southern Metropolis Daily reported a similar case involving a tech firm employee in Hangzhou.

According to her, a manager raised concerns about her being away from her desk each morning between 10 am and 10.30 am and warned that her bonus could be affected. The employee has described the monitoring as “creepy and uncomfortable”.

An advertising firm in Fuzhou reportedly limited toilet breaks, requiring staff to clock in and out with fingerprint scans and fining those who exceeded the time.

Last September, a start-up employee surnamed Wu was sacked by a start-up for allegedly ignoring orders and slacking. The form used CCTV footage and his computer browsing records as evidence in court.

The records showed Wu complained about the boss on social media, browsed shopping sites and read online novels. Wu was shocked by the level of monitoring.

She told the mainland magazine Vista, where exactly is the line between personal privacy and corporate management?”

As workplace monitoring spreads, some Chinese workers are looking for ways to push back.

Some have bought chat privacy software for 19.9 yuan (US$3), while others have paid 50 yuan for privacy screen protectors for their phones and office computers.

As workplace monitoring spreads, some Chinese workers are pushing back. Some have bought chat privacy software for 19.9 yuan, while others use 50 yuan screen protectors for phones and computers.

Anti-tracking tools designed to block monitoring of browser activity are also gaining popularity.

On mainland social media, posts sharing tips have proliferated, with related topics drawing more than 50 million views.

Experts say Chinese law gives companies some scope to monitor employees.

Anti-tracking tools that block browsing monitoring are gaining popularity. On mainland social media, posts sharing tips have surged, with related topics crossing 50 million views.

Lu Shenglong, a cybersecurity expert, told the mainland media that companies install surveillance systems to protect data, business secrets, and prevent internal risks.

In some cases, Chinese courts have said monitoring browsing on office computers is not a violation, as they are meant for work use.

Critics say over-monitoring can cause stress, damage trust and affect how employees behave.

One online user wrote, “If companies do not want me dealing with non-work matters during office hours, they should also make sure work is not discussed outside office hours.”

Another added, “This sounds less like going to work and more like being in prison. If people are reduced to tools, it will eventually backfire on companies.”