I had to choose between letting my phone listen or losing my job's group chat

My work uses this app called Slack for everything, and our main project chat is on there. The boss said we had to install it on our personal phones to stay in the loop after hours. The app asked for permission to access my microphone 'to improve voice features.' I had a bad feeling. The choice was clear: say yes and let it listen, or say no and get kicked out of the chat for 'security reasons.' I said no. They removed me from the project chat that Friday. I missed three urgent updates over the weekend and looked totally out of touch on Monday. It felt like I was being forced to trade a piece of my privacy just to do my job. Has anyone else had to pick between an app's creepy permissions and being left out of something important?

4 comments

4 Comments

sandra_bennett592mo ago

Heard that's a big red flag for data collection.

riley_wood841mo ago

Guess I'm the odd one out here Sandra, but I don't think the sky is falling every time a company asks you to download their app. Most of these things have to pass legal review before they even get to your phone, and privacy laws are getting tighter, not looser. Sure, read the fine print if you want, but honestly, how many creepy background permissions are they really going to get away with before someone calls them out? I just tap "agree" and move on with my life.

wren6382mo ago

Check if your company has a policy about work apps on personal devices.

-1

rowan_thomas842mo ago

Ever read those terms of service agreements? They can let the app see way more than just your work stuff. My friend's company app could even track location off the clock. It's wild what they can hide in the fine print. Always makes me nervous to install anything work related now.