During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on the increasing use of digital surveillance tools by employers, particularly in the wake of the pandemic and the rise of telework. Witness Mister Gottwald highlighted concerns regarding the lack of transparency surrounding these monitoring systems, which often operate without the knowledge or consent of employees or their unions.

Gottwald described the situation as \"creepy,\" noting that some employers monitor not only keystrokes but also utilize cameras and biometric data, raising significant privacy concerns. He emphasized the need for workers to be informed about what data is being collected and how it is used, including whether it is being sold or shared.

The conversation also touched on the specific challenges faced by call center workers, particularly non-native English speakers. Gottwald pointed out that quality monitoring software can unfairly penalize these workers based on their accents, despite their proficiency in English. He cited the example of Teleperformance, a large French outsourcing company, which has faced criticism for its poor track record on workers' rights.

The meeting underscored a growing awareness among trade unions about the implications of AI management and surveillance software, with many now incorporating these issues into collective bargaining discussions. This trend reflects a broader movement towards protecting worker rights in an increasingly digital workplace.