Microsoft seeks patent for office 'spy' software

[CptSternn]

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/...cle3193480.ece

Microsoft is developing Big Brother-style software capable of remotely monitoring a worker’s productivity, physical wellbeing and competence.

The Times has seen a patent application filed by the company for a computer system that links workers to their computers via wireless sensors that measure their metabolism. The system would allow managers to monitor employees’ performance by measuring their heart rate, body temperature, movement, facial expression and blood pressure. Unions said they fear that employees could be dismissed on the basis of a computer’s assessment of their physiological state.

Technology allowing constant monitoring of workers was previously limited to pilots, firefighters and Nasa astronauts. This is believed to be the first time a company has proposed developing such software for mainstream workplaces.

Microsoft submitted a patent application in the US for a “unique monitoring system” that could link workers to their computers. Wireless sensors could read “heart rate, galvanic skin response, EMG, brain signals, respiration rate, body temperature, movement facial movements, facial expressions and blood pressure”, the application states.

The system could also “automatically detect frustration or stress in the user” and “offer and provide assistance accordingly”. Physical changes to an employee would be matched to an individual psychological profile based on a worker’s weight, age and health. If the system picked up an increase in heart rate or facial expressions suggestive of stress or frustration, it would tell management that he needed help.

The Information Commissioner, civil liberties groups and privacy lawyers strongly criticised the potential of the system for “taking the idea of monitoring people at work to a new level”. Hugh Tomlinson, QC, an expert on data protection law at Matrix Chambers, told The Times: “This system involves intrusion into every single aspect of the lives of the employees. It raises very serious privacy issues.”

Peter Skyte, a national officer for the union Unite, said: “This system takes the idea of monitoring people at work to a new level with a new level of invasiveness but in a very old-fashioned way because it monitors what is going in rather than the results.” The Information Commissioner’s Office said: “Imposing this level of intrusion on employees could only be justified in exceptional circumstances.”

The US Patent Office confirmed last night that the application was published last month, 18 months after being filed. Patent lawyers said that it could be granted within a year.

Microsoft last night refused to comment on the application, but said: “We have over 7,000 patents worldwide and we are proud of the quality of these patents and the innovations they represent. As a general practice, we do not typically comment on pending patent applications because claims made in the application may be modified through the approval process.”


Aaah...thats what we need. Buildings and office places that monitor your every biometric move. Does it bother anyone that companies in the near future will be monitoring your breathing, heart rate, brain signals, and facial expressions at work? They are basically hooking you up to a big lie detector/health monitor. They could suspend your health care insurance based on your health, as reported remotely monitored system OR tell where you stand on various topics, as they ask you questions at your desk.

They also can tell if your going to go postal when they fire you.

The thing is, Microsoft is looking to patent a software package for this. The technology and hardware that is needed for such is already here, and being used in places where most people have no idea they are being monitored.

I was reading an article a while back (I'll try and find it) on a club in Amsterdam that has similar systems in place to monitor the people on the dance floor - and has the music/lights set up to respond to the crowd.

That being said using this technology for more sinister applications looks to be the next big thing.

[Drake Dun]

Happiness is mandatory. Failure to be happy is treason. Treason is punishable by summary execution. Are you happy, citizen?

Drake

[IsolatedReptile]

Next big thing? Hasn't it already started?

[Delkaetre]

Drake! I love you for that post. I really do.


Anyway.
The system could also “automatically detect frustration or stress in the user” and “offer and provide assistance accordingly”.
If this is Microsoft, won't that just make things worse? I can't imagine anything more frustrating in a stressy mood than fucking Clipit telling me I'm stressed.

[ByncCrync]

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[Sephiroth Kali]

will someone ban this guy above me?

As for this new patent, While I am not a fan of the doomsayers, I don't like this. Then again, You can't be fired for they way you feel. Even if you are angry every minute of your work day, all they can do is what suggest you go to counseling? Not top mention that the company would have to inform its employees of the use of the software, and I'm sure a well placed leak to the company's investors that it was in place might make the company think twice.

[Sir_Vex]

This sounds like one of the first steps to Brave New World. Fairly soon employers will be offering Soma to all their employees.

[Renatus]

Originally Posted by Drake Dun

Happiness is mandatory. Failure to be happy is treason. Treason is punishable by summary execution. Are you happy, citizen?

Drake

For more enjoyment and greater efficiency, consumption is being standardized.

[BLEED REBELION!!!]

WTF is this shit..... its like a fucking anime..... god I wish people would stop inventing this shit..