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If Microsoft wants to rid itself of its “evil” image, it certainly isn’t helping itself with its pending patent for office “spy” software.
If approved, this new patent would enable Microsoft to create a patent for software that monitors “a worker’s productivity, physical wellbeing and competence.”
Do we really want Microsoft judging employees' competence? And how could a computer ever effectively judge this? The patent claims that employers examine performance based on “heart rate, galvanic skin response, EMG, brain signals, respiration rate, body temperature, facial movements, facial expressions and blood pressure.” I guess if I was hooked up currently, then the system could “automatically detect frustration or stress” and “offer and provide assistance accordingly” because none of this makes any sense at all to me.
We’ve all used Word and seen the recommendations it makes for spelling and grammar. Do we really want the same people who designed that to make recommendations to employers on which employees to keep and which to let go? Also, who wants to work in an environment where you come in, grab your cup of coffee, sit down at your desk and literally hook yourself up to your computer?
The digital era has arrived, and obviously, it has pros and cons. However, I cannot see one tangible benefit of this technology. It would provide employers with way too much information about their employees, and honestly, it'd probably lead to some bad decisions based on irrelevant information. (I'm not smiling right now. Uh-oh, here comes the boss.) Let’s hope this patent is rejected. If not, I fear for the future. 1984 seems more and more like prophecy.
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