Maine lawmakers introduce bill to limit Surveillance of remote employees

Photo by Skyler Ewing

Lawmakers in Maine are considering a bill that would limit how businesses use surveillance technology to monitor remote employees.

With this bill, employers would be required to inform employees of their use of surveillance before beginning any monitoring. They would also need to inform potential new hires during the interview process about their use of surveillance.

Audiovisual monitoring in an employees residence, vehicle, or on their property would be banned.

Additionally, employees would have the right to decline any request by an employer to install surveillance applications on their personal devices. If passed, any company that violates the law could be sued by a monitored employee.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Amy Roeder (D), and sponsored by Sen. Michael Tipping (D).

A report by the Maine Wire details the bill and reactions to it. Many business leaders are opposed to the bill.