Workplace Wearables: Emerging Privacy Challenges for Employees and Employers

As wearable technology becomes ubiquitous, more companies are encouraging—or even mandating—employees to wear connected devices.

In a recent feature on IDG’s CIO site, tech writer Gary Eastwood explores the growing privacy concerns that accompany this trend.

In 2013, about 2,000 firms worldwide distributed fitness trackers to their staff. By 2014 the figure had surged to 10,000, and the adoption rate has only accelerated since.

Eastwood cautions that many employees remain unaware of the personal data being collected when they accept corporate‑provided wearables.

Why Employees Must Understand the Data Flow

Wearables can capture heart rate, location, and activity patterns—both inside and outside the workplace. While employers argue that such data can improve health outcomes and reduce insurance costs, it also opens the door to continuous employee monitoring.

Beyond internal surveillance, there is the risk that employer‑collected data could be sold to third parties or become a target for cyber‑criminals. “The more places your personal data is stored, the greater the likelihood of a breach,” Eastwood notes. “Hackers could even extract operational insights about the company from the data on an employee’s device.”

Given these risks, Eastwood advises employees to carefully review the privacy safeguards in place before agreeing to wear a corporate device. If no adequate protections exist, the simplest solution is to decline the device.

For those who decide to participate, employees should request transparency on data retention policies, third‑party access, and security protocols. Knowing who can see and how long the data will be stored can help mitigate potential abuse.