Should I be concerned about my company’s confidentiality policy when I install screenshot accountability?

[Belonging to Abba]

I am wanting to install software that takes screenshots of an Android phone and sends them to accountability partners. At my company we use our phones to take pictures of equipment and video tape sometimes. I signed a confidentiality policy that says the employee shall not photocopy, duplicate, transfer, or make available confidential information unless it has already been made public by means other than the employee. I am wondering if I should be concerned about the confidentiality policy when I install screenshot accountability software. For accountability purposes I want the screenshots to be crystal clear except I may use a setting that removes text from screenshots. I could just tell my accountability partners to avoid looking at work related screenshots and I could tell them what hours I work. In this case my accountability partners are looking for inappropriate content in the screenshots so they would probably ignore work related screenshots. The software that I want to install is described at www.truple.io, and it takes screenshots without you knowing when and shares them with accountability partners.

If I decide to ask my company about this, I am wondering if it will result in me having to use a second phone as a work designated device. However I think it is too inconvenient to have to use two phones so it might be easier to decide not to ask them about it.

 

[AlexB23]

I am wanting to install software that takes screenshots of an Android phone and sends them to accountability partners. At my company we use our phones to take pictures of equipment and video tape sometimes. I signed a confidentiality policy that says the employee shall not photocopy, duplicate, transfer, or make available confidential information unless it has already been made public by means other than the employee. I am wondering if I should be concerned about the confidentiality policy when I install screenshot accountability software. For accountability purposes I want the screenshots to be crystal clear except I may use a setting that removes text from screenshots. I could just tell my accountability partners to avoid looking at work related screenshots and I could tell them what hours I work. In this case my accountability partners are looking for inappropriate content in the screenshots so they would probably ignore work related screenshots. The software that I want to install is described at www.truple.io, and it takes screenshots without you knowing when and shares them with accountability partners.

If I decide to ask my company about this, I am wondering if it will result in me having to use a second phone as a work designated device. However I think it is too inconvenient to have to use two phones so it might be easier to decide not to ask them about it.

It's important to consider the potential implications of installing screenshot accountability software on your personal Android device, especially in light of your confidentiality policy. While your intention is for the screenshots to be used solely for accountability purposes and not to share or disclose confidential work-related information, there are still some risks that need to be weighed.

First, it's essential to review the specific terms of your company's confidentiality policy and consult with your employer or IT department about your plans. They may have guidelines or restrictions on using third-party software that can potentially access, duplicate, or share sensitive information from company devices.

If you decide to proceed with installing the software and keep work-related screenshots out of your accountability partners' view, you could consider setting up specific filters or settings on the software to avoid capturing confidential information. However, remember that there might still be a risk of the software inadvertently taking screenshots of sensitive data or accidentally sharing them with your accountability partners (such as during daylight's savings time, when the hours shift).

One possible solution could be to buy a cheap phone that you use for work that has no accountability software installed, and leave it at your desk (so you do not bring it home), ensuring that you do not introduce any potential risks to your company's confidential information, also helping you to avoid watching bad content at home on your personal Android.

 

[Belonging to Abba]

Okay, thanks for the information. The question may need to be asked if I need to also text my coworkers on the extra phone because the setting that removes text from the screenshots is not guaranteed to always work and I might turn off text redaction if I need an extra layer of protection (my accountability partners seeing what words I am searching on Google.)

 

[AlexB23]

Okay, thanks for the information. The question may need to be asked if I need to also text my coworkers on the extra phone because the setting that removes text from the screenshots is not guaranteed to always work and I might turn off text redaction if I need an extra layer of protection (my accountability partners seeing what words I am searching on Google.)

You are welcome. You can get phones that only text and make calls though. A Nokia or something.

 

[Belonging to Abba]

I recently bought the Android phone and installed the screenshot accountability software. I sent an email to IT almost a week ago and did not get a reply yet. I think it could have been awkward the way I described the software. I said that the software is for my friends to check to make sure that I am not looking at inappropriate content and to ask me questions if I look at anything I shouldn't be looking at. It might have been somewhat unprofessional that I described it this way, and I could have said something like the software is so that I am accountable to others for using the Internet wisely.

I am thinking of talking to my boss about it if I don't hear back from IT soon. However I am also thinking it is too much of a hassle and what they don't know won't hurt them and my accountability partners are not going to seriously harm the competition of my company with other companies. The confidentiality policy is called the Non-competition and confidentiality policy. I tried carrying an extra phone in my pocket with my new Android phone and it took up too much space in my pocket when I didn't require the phone without the screenshot accountability software. I suppose I could store the phone in my locker instead of carrying it in my pocket, and only get it on days when I need to use it. Or I could use a digital camera and connect it to a computer to transfer videos or pictures, but this seems like a hassle.

The whole conversation seems awkward and I think I would rather avoid it.

 

[Belonging to Abba]

There was also a situation in the past working here, where my boss had to check with someone higher up to find out if I am allowed to record videos of equipment for training purposes / being able to learn the equipment by reviewing the videos. They gave me permission, but at that time I did not have screenshot accountability on my phone. So I kind of feel that now that I do have the screenshot accountability, that maybe I am breaking the company's trust if I do not ask them about it and continue to record videos. However somehow I am wondering if it is really that big of a deal and I could just tell my accountability partners not to take a close look at work related pictures.

The company is lenient and my boss said I could even work on writing personal email if there is no work related tasks that need to be done, which happens occasionally. So I am kind of thinking that since I already emailed IT and did not get a reply for about a week, that it is okay if I take a shortcut and don't ask my boss about this even if I don't get a reply from IT.