Microsoft Teams might just be the new office snitch, thanks to a feature rolling out soon that can track a worker’s location.
The update, set to arrive in December, will let Microsoft’s communication platform automatically detect when an employee arrives at the office by monitoring their connection to the building’s Wi-Fi. If you’re working on-site and step out, Teams will automatically change your work location once it notices you’ve disconnected.
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It sounds a little unsettling, but according to Microsoft’s 365 roadmap, the feature will be off by default. However, tenant admins will have the option to enable it and require users to opt in — meaning your boss could still decide how closely Teams keeps tabs on you.
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On one hand, it could be convenient for managers who don’t want to wander the office looking for coworkers. On the other, as the return-to-office trend continues, it also gives employers an easy way to see who’s actually showing up. Details on how precisely the feature determines your location are vague, but a similar Amazon policy sparked pushback when employees spoofed their home Wi-Fi SSIDs to mimic the company network. Don’t expect that trick to work this time.
The location tracking tool is just one of several new Teams features rolling out soon, alongside the ability to save messages in chats and customizable keyboard shortcuts.
