Should companies monitor their staff's web browsing?

Should companies monitor their staff's web browsing?

Staff at The Sun and The Times could have their web browsing monitored, after News UK announced they are partnering with a data security company to roll out an app to control staff phone costs.

The news company has enlisted British firm Wandera, who specialise in mobile data security and management, to roll out the application, The Guardian reports.

However, an internal email sent to staff by the technical department at News UK has raised concern amongst employees, highlighting the issue of staff tracking. 

The email, which unveils a new mobile data monitoring system for “all staff”, said: “all your traffic will pass through Wandera, whether you use the mobile for business or personal uses.”

It continued: “The Wandera system will record every website address you visit … and the volume of traffic to and from that website. Usage reports will be provided to News UK.”

News UK said there was nothing sinister about its use of Wandera and that it was an effort to cut down on “exceptionally large” mobile bills that have been run up by some staff using data-heavy streaming services such as YouTube, Netflix, and catch-up and live TV apps.

Many News UK staff who have work phones have been given unlimited data contracts.

The issue of tracking staff was raised recently with the release of an app called Punchtime which monitors staff movements. 

What do you think, should companies be able to track their staff’s internet use?  Let us know in the comments. 


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Comments (1)

  • kaymanisle
    kaymanisle
    Thu, 21 Apr 2016 2:56pm BST
    Is this news? Companies I've worked for over the past 12 years have routinely monitored internet usage. I think most companies take a 'reasonable use' approach, in that most staff can be expected to want to look at, eg, their online banking website or a train ticket website during their lunch hour. The problems come with hours spent on Facebook during working hours.

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