● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact1 negative
Australian Institute Calls for Stronger Workplace Privacy Laws Amid AI Monitoring Rise
Key points
- Employers use AI and tech for surveillance, often without employee knowledge.
- Examples include CCTV, keystroke monitoring, and AI error tracking.
- Current Privacy Act exemptions allow workplace surveillance to grow.
- Institute calls for new privacy protections in workplace laws.
Rise of Workplace Surveillance
The Human Technology Institute has reported a significant increase in employers utilizing technology, including AI, for monitoring employees in Australia. This surveillance ranges from CCTV and keystroke monitoring to tracking card swipes and instant messaging platforms like Microsoft Teams. The institute noted that these tools are becoming common across various sectors, including factories, offices, retail, and delivery services.
Examples of AI Monitoring
Specific instances of AI-driven surveillance include a fast-food restaurant using cameras to prevent phone use by staff and an AI system flagging a cashier for making one error per 533 scans, leading to a written warning. Concerns were also raised about cameras in change rooms at a large fast-food chain, causing young employees to avoid using them.
Lack of Employee Awareness
A poll commissioned by Minderoo in March 2026 indicated that while 43% of Australians knew some employers use technology for monitoring, only 9% were aware of its use in their own workplace. This highlights a significant gap in transparency regarding surveillance practices.
Call for Legislative Reform
The Human Technology Institute is urging the federal government to amend workplace laws to include stronger privacy protections. The current Privacy Act contains exemptions for employee records and small businesses, which the institute argues have contributed to the expansion of workplace surveillance. Professor Edward Santow, co-director of the institute, stated that transparency alone is insufficient and called for an overhaul of the Fair Work Act to include a test for the introduction of workplace monitoring.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
The Human Technology Institute in Australia has warned that employers are increasingly using AI and other technologies for workplace surveillance, often without employee awareness. The institute is advocating for the Australian federal government to integrate privacy protections into workplace laws to address this growing trend.