Archive · 29 Jun 2025
AI Worker Surveillance Technology Boom in Developing Nations
Imagine your boss is an app that tracks everything you do at work.
New technologies use AI to watch workers in countries like Kenya and Brazil.
Companies are using tools to monitor workers' attendance, productivity, and even their speed.
This can make workers feel stressed and controlled.
While some countries have laws to protect workers' privacy, they are not always enforced.
Some people think these apps are unfair because they take away workers' control.
Worker surveillance technology, utilizing AI, is rapidly expanding in developing nations.
A report by Coworker.org highlights the growth of this technology, driven by venture capital.
Tools include biometric tracking, AI-powered monitoring, and predictive analytics.
Workers in Latin America and the gig economy report feeling surveilled and controlled.
Enforcement of data protection laws is inconsistent, raising privacy concerns.
- Who
- Venture capital-backed startups and workers.
- What
- Expansion of worker surveillance technology using AI.
- When
- Since Covid-19
- Where
- Developing countries including Kenya, Nigeria, and Brazil.
- Why
- To improve hiring, evaluate performance, and optimize processes, but potentially causing stress and lack of control for workers.
Worker Perspective
Company Perspective
Impact on Workers
Worker Perspective
Workers report feeling surveilled and experiencing stress and uncertainty.
Company Perspective
Companies aim to improve efficiency and performance.
- Report Author
- Coworker.org
- Key Technologies
- Biometric tracking, AI monitoring, predictive analytics
- Location of Tools
- Latin America, Gig Economy
- Data Collected
- Attendance, Keystrokes, Customer Interactions
- Driver's Concerns
- Feeling surveilled, lack of control