Consumer watchdog cautions companies against snooping on workers with surveillance tech

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Thursday cautioned companies against using tools that monitor or evaluate employees without their knowledge or consent.  

The federal agency issued its warning in response to what it said is increasing use of new technology to track workers, including algorithmic scores or background reports compiled by outside parties, the CFPB said in a news release. The information could be used to anticipate worker resignations or union-organizing activities and potentially influence hiring or promotion decisions, the agency said.

"Workers shouldn't be subject to unchecked surveillance or have their careers determined by opaque third-party reports without basic protections," Rohit Chopra, the agency's director, stated. "The kind of scoring and profiling we've long seen in credit markets is now creeping into employment and other aspects of our lives."