Been in a company for close to 1 year, and after I tendered my resignation letter, it was revealed to me that they were able to see and hear me through the laptop, despite the in built functionality to block it, even after office hours, monitor me via my personal phone, digitally and through audio and images everyday (worst case scenario) for the last 1 year.

A major breach of privacy, not to mention laws? Personally, a huge concern as well?

And not everything also they need to know or I need to explain to them- I hope this is not an entitled thing to say? As far as I am aware, if they think that my work performance is suffering, they could convey that to me through or ask me to leave, and yes company owes you nothing they can just ask you to leave even if you cry or beg, but not pry into my personal life on their own and come up with their own conclusions? I’m not a private person but I needed some time off to sort some things on my own- I had a timeline too- 1 year (kept to schedule).

Also, not to blame shift, but their prying affected me more because I didn’t understand why they care sm about what I do with my life. I mean don’t get me wrong, I’m not blaming them, afterall we are only able to control ourself. And I am also grateful that they didn’t do anything worse though, like something worse, like really. I am trying to understand their POV too.

My childish self tried to post and say more “nonsense” when I suspected it and when I found out, which backfired on me.

Anyway, should I bring this up directly to them (the one who conveyed this information to me)? Should I ask them if they be taking any legal/ illegal actions actions against me? Should I ask them if the data are “stored”- is there even a point in asking this- as they might lie about it even if they have digital copies stored?

Should I leave without saying anything?

Netizens’ comments

Wait hang on. Putting your work performance aside:how did they monitor you through your private phone? Is it a company laptop? And how did you find out? They admitted to itI’m no lawyer but I don’t see how this is legal in any way. Did they inform of this when you started working?there’s never a need for a company to know what you do in your private life unless you are working for some top secret government security unit.I wouldn’t engage them further until after you seek actual legal advice. Honestly this whole thing sounds extremely shitty on your company’s part. Would help if you can give us more details on what you work as (ok I admit, more of kaypoh la)

(OP) I can’t reveal that here as they may be here tooNo they did not. As a matter of fact, when I revealed it to someone internal, that person was shocked that this was happening too

Gather evidence, bring your laptop and phone to sim lim to see if any spyware can be found.Once you have the evidence of this, sue your company.It stops them from doing this with impunity.Benefit for you is they will try to settle. You are leaving anyway, so burning bridges is not a big problem.

How did they reveal it? They said it outright, or they mentioned things that they had no other way of knowing?Are you sure this one person isn’t just lying to you? I can’t overstate how unlikely it is that an MNC installed a webcam/mic spyware on your computer and watched you. Something like this would result in a humongous lawsuit, that could set you for life.The most they could do is record your windows session, and monitor your keystrokes and internet traffic on the company devices. Which is expected.It’s extremely unlikely they could “monitor” you through your PERSONAL phone. How would they achieve that? Unless you mean logging your chats on Teams when logged in to the work account.

(OP) Personal phone- they likely did it through the office wifi, when the phone connected to it.