Instead of signaling: companies in the US are hiring remote workers in India to scream at robbers via video link

A video surveillance company pays remote workers in India to yell at burglars and thief employees who are trying to get something out of the store without paying. The publication told about this in more detail. Vice.

Photo: Shutterstock

A short video from security cameras shows a salesperson in a small convenience store taking a bottle of coffee from the refrigerator and drinking it. As he returns to the cash register, a voice comes from a speaker on the ceiling, asking him if he scanned the item and paid for it.

In another video, the cashier stands behind the counter and talks to someone outside the frame. There's a "ding" sound and a voice from above asks the cashier who the other man is - he's there to give the cashier a ride at the end of his shift - then asks the man to stand on the other side of the counter.

These videos are just a few examples that the Washington-based company Live Eye Surveillance is using to showcase its flagship product: a surveillance camera system that constantly monitors stores and allows a remote operator to intervene when they see something suspicious.

For $ 399 per month, a person from Karnal (India) will watch live video from your store or office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Live Eye is one of many companies profiting from the increasing deployment of workplace surveillance tools during the pandemic, which human rights experts say corporations have used to introduce spying tools in the name of security.

On the subject: Protection or surveillance: US police can access home video surveillance

“We use insecurity about the risk of robbery as an excuse to target workers,” said Eva Blum-Dumontet, senior researcher at Privacy International. “This is really a reason to rethink the way we work.” Essentially, what happens with workplace monitoring is that employers try to monitor their employees to make sure they are meeting their performance expectations. This is very harmful to the mental health of employees.”

On its website, Live Eye lists several major corporations as clients, including 7-Eleven, Shell, Dairy Queen, and Holiday Inn. Many of these businesses are franchised, and it is unclear from Live Eye whether the surveillance systems were acquired by corporations or purchased by individual franchisees.

A former 7-Eleven field consultant who oversaw several stores said he became concerned when a store owner showed them Live Eye Surveillance commercials. The consultant, who asked to remain anonymous to protect contacts with the company, said the surveillance system is "a solution in search of a problem" because employee theft and shoplifting actually cost 7-Eleven franchise owners very little.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York.

Even worse, the former field consultant said, the particular form of surveillance that Live Eye sells could actually endanger store workers.

In one example of videos that Live Eye sends to potential customers, two black-clad robbers, one armed with an assault rifle, walk into a store and force a salesperson to open a cash register. When he starts to open the cash register, the Live Eye system calls and a voice informs the robbers that the police have been called. They run out of the store.

“This is how someone gets killed,” the former consultant said. “You can’t scare someone with a machine gun.” This violates 7-Eleven policy. There is a reason why silent alarms are silent in banks and other businesses.”

The company issued a statement that said, “7-Eleven, Inc. cares deeply about the safety of our employees and customers. We provide every 7-Eleven store with a basic security system that includes video surveillance and alarms, but independent franchisees can install their own system on top of what is provided. "

The pandemic has led to the proliferation of workplace surveillance tools among both workers and white-collar workers, Blum-Dumont said, but it is having a disproportionate impact on low-paid employees.

“There are a lot of people who have lost their jobs, a lot of people who don’t have much of a choice whether to take a job or not,” she said. “This is why employers get away with these forms of surveillance, which have a serious impact on employees.”

Read also on ForumDaily:

Guy stabbed two women to sacrifice to the devil to win the lottery

Florida resident filmed a 'dinosaur' in her yard: the network is wondering what kind of creature it is

How Police Budget Cuts Affect US Urban Crime

25 professions that may soon disappear due to automation

Protection or surveillance: US police can access home video surveillance

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.