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With the advent of technology and the work from home, the employer’s tracking of smartphones has become one of the significant concerns among employees. The constant monitoring of employees’ phone activities by their employers can have a severe impact on their privacy, mental health, and work-life balance. Though a company may have good reasons for tracking the employee’s devices, it can still affect the employee’s performance and psychological stability. Therefore, it must become easy to know how to stop the employer from tracking your phone.
Video Tutorial:
It can become quite challenging to tell if an employer has installed tracking software on an employee’s phone. Several apps promise to track the smartphone usage, including phone calls, messages, browsing history, and even physical location. Nevertheless, smartphones contain a lot of personal information, including personal bank account details, personal documents, and confidential data. The employer’s monitoring of employee phone activities unquestionably affects the employee’s fundamental right to privacy. Therefore, we will discuss some foolproof methods that employees can employ to ensure their employers can’t track their phones.
Method 1: Via Airplane Mode
One of the ways to stop the employer from tracking your phone is by using the airplane mode on your smartphone. Airplane mode is a setting that disables all network connections on your device. It removes all communication mediums such as calls, messaging, internet, and GPS. The employer cannot monitor the phone’s activities once the airplane mode is disabled.
Steps on How to Stop Employer from Tracking Your Phone via Airplane Mode
Step 1: Pull down the notification bar on your smartphone screen.
Step 2: Tap on the ‘airplane’ icon to turn on airplane mode.
Step 3: Double-check to ensure airplane mode is enabled.
Step 4: To disable the airplane mode, follow the same procedure used in enabling it.
Pros:
1. Fast and easy to use
2. Doesn’t require the installation of apps
3. The airplane mode allows for privacy and security
4. It reduces battery consumption while disabling all network connections
Cons:
1. Disables all network connections and apps.
2. It may not work on a smartphone with enabled GPS services.
Method 2: Via A VPN
Another method to stop employers from tracking your phone is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN is an application that encrypts your internet traffic and changes your smartphone’s IP address, making it difficult for your employer to monitor your phone activities.
Steps on How to Stop Employer from Tracking Your Phone Using a VPN
Step 1: Download a VPN application on your smartphone.
Step 2: Install the VPN app and create an account.
Step 3: Turn on the VPN on your smartphone to change your IP address.
Step 4: Connect to a server to encrypt internet traffic.
Step 5: Check to see if the VPN is working correctly.
Pros:
1. A VPN encrypts your data, making it impossible for employers to monitor phone activities.
2. VPNs provide faster internet speeds compared to proxies.
3. A VPN changes your IP address, making it difficult to trace your phone.
Cons:
1. Some VPN applications contain malware and spyware.
2. VPNs come with a monthly subscription, which can be another cost added to your monthly bills.
3. Some mobile apps are incompatible with VPNs, leading to connectivity issues.
Method 3: Via Mobile Security Applications
Mobile security apps are a great way to protect your smartphone from spying and hacking. These applications keep your smartphone safe by detecting malware, spyware, and protecting against unauthorized access.
Steps on How to Stop Employer from Tracking Your Phone Using Security Apps
Step 1: Choose a good mobile security app.
Step 2: Download and install the app onto your smartphone.
Step 3: After installation, run a full security scan on your device.
Step 4: Switch on the ‘anti-spyware’ feature of the security app.
Step 5: Check the app’s security settings and allow it to block spyware from accessing your smartphone.
Pros:
1. Mobile security applications continuously scan and detect security threats, thus providing all-round protection.
2. Security applications update regularly, ensuring you have the latest protection.
3. Mobile security applications protect against potential loss of data.
Cons:
1. Mobile security apps can slow down your device’s speed when running in the background.
2. Some mobile security applications are fake, and may not provide adequate protection.
3. Installing mobile security apps can be a time consuming process.
Method 4: Via Privacy Screen Protectors
Privacy screen protectors are another fantastic solution to keep employers from tracking your phone activities. These protectors are slightly tinted, making it difficult for anyone to see the screen content at certain angles.
Steps on How to Stop Employer from Tracking Your Phone Using Privacy Screen Protector
Step 1: Purchase a privacy screen protector that fits your device.
Step 2: Remove any existing screen protector on your device.
Step 3: Clean your smartphone with a microfiber cloth to remove any dirt.
Step 4: Align the privacy screen protector over your smartphone, ensuring it fits correctly.
Step 5: Gently apply the screen protector onto the smartphone’s screen, ensuring there are no bubbles underneath.
Pros:
1. Privacy screen protectors protect your data privacy at all times.
2. They are easy to install, and you can remove them whenever you need to.
3. Privacy screen protectors do not limit access to your smartphone’s features.
Cons:
1. The viewing angle for privacy screen protectors is limited.
2. It is more expensive than traditional screen protectors.
3. Privacy Screen protectors may affect the brightness of your phone screen.
What to Do If You Can’t Stop an Employer from Tracking Your Phone
Sometimes, it may not be possible to stop your employer from tracking your phone. Here are some things you can do:
One thing you can do is to speak up and engage in a conversation with your employer about your privacy concerns. Also, check your contract of employment – some employer’s may have the legal right to monitor their employees’ smartphones.
Bonus Tip
Always ensure you do a complete factory reset of your smartphone before selling or disposing of it. This ensures that all data is wiped from your device, thus preventing unauthorized users from accessing your data.
FAQs
Q. Can my employer track my phone without my knowledge?
A. Yes, under some circumstances, an employer can track an employee’s phone without the employee’s consent or knowledge.
Q. Can I sue my employer for tracking my phone without my consent?
A. The answer depends on your employment contract, but you may have legal grounds to sue your employer for violating your privacy rights.
Q. What should I do if I think my employer is spying on my phone?
A. You should speak up and have a conversation with your employer. Communicate your concerns and ask them to stop tracking your phone.
Q. Will stopping my employer from tracking my phone affect my work performance?
A. No, stopping your employer from tracking your phone should not affect your work performance.
Q. Can I use multiple methods simultaneously to stop an employer from tracking my phone?
A. Yes, combining two or more methods simultaneously can provide better protection for your smartphone.
Final Thoughts
Stop employer phone spying and tracking is a crucial issue of concern in modern times. It is essential to ensure that your privacy and security are paramount when it comes to protecting your personal interests. In this article, we have explored several methods that employees can use to stop their employers from tracking their phones. Furthermore, we have looked at the pros and cons of each method and offered recommendations. Remember, if you feel that your employer is violating your rights to privacy, speak up and engage in a meaningful conversation with them.