July 20th, 2026Big Tech Must Stop Spying On Workers At Work
Every Victorian worker deserves to know when they’re being watched on the job.
Right now, workers can be watched, tracked and assessed by technology – often without ever being told.
No weird, invasive spying on workers
New state laws will:
- Ensure Biometric data can only be collected when there’s no less intrusive option
- Prevent the use of biometric data to read your emotions, unless there’s a legitimate reason to do so — like fatigue monitoring for truck drivers
- Prevent using AI to track things like bathroom breaks, a limp, or pregnancy, without a specific, legitimate purpose
- Increase protections to prevent use of workplace surveillance and AI to discriminate by race, gender, sexuality, religion or other personal characteristics
No AI bias in recruitment
AI bias in hiring, promotion and pay is one of the most consequential and least visible harms of the AI transition.
AI resume-ranking tools can systematically disadvantage women and people from diverse backgrounds.
These systems must be used appropriately.
Workers have the right to know
Employers will have to tell workers if they’re being monitored.
Bosses will also have to consult staff before bringing in new surveillance or changing how it’s used.
And they will only be able to undertake surveillance at work for a legitimate purpose.
Covert surveillance will only be allowed where unlawful activity is suspected and will be strictly controlled.
Humans must have the final say
A human will be required to review any significant automated decision made using surveillance data that affects a worker’s rights.
That means an algorithm won’t ever get the final say over a worker’s job.
Workers will get the right to access their own surveillance data when it’s used to impact their job.
