Security News > 2022 > November > Security firms hijack New York trees to monitor private workforce

Private security firms in New York City have co-opted public resources - specifically trees - to track their guards as they make their rounds.

According to Gothamist, a New York-focused news site, security contractors have been drilling into trees on public city streets to install signaling hardware to ensure that guards are following their patrol routes.

The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation told The Register, "We are aware that these devices exist. As we find these devices, they will be removed - some have already been removed."

Setting aside the legality of turning public trees into worker accountability report stations for private companies, performance monitoring remains a controversial topic.

A spokesperson for Kings Security Service, a Bronx-based firm, told The Register that the company uses tracking tools like the Deggy Button "To track our guys to make sure they're doing their patrols" and that they don't object to being monitored in that way.

Last year, the organization updated its report arguing that Amazon's worker surveillance disproportionately targets low-paid workers and people of color.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2022/11/17/security_firms_nyc_trees/