Debate erupts over Microsoft Teams' upcoming automatic employee location updates.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - A new update to Microsoft Teams will automatically display the user's office building location based on their Wi-Fi connection.

This change is facing mixed reactions regarding workplace privacy (Photo: Microsoft).

According to the latest update on the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, the Teams app will soon add a feature that automatically determines the user's location.

Specifically, as soon as the device connects to the company's Wi-Fi network or pairs with shared devices such as monitors, speakers, docks, or "hot desks," Teams will automatically display the building the user is currently in.

Microsoft explains that this is aimed at optimizing the collaboration experience, making it easier for hybrid work teams to identify who is in the office and who is working remotely, in order to schedule meetings more effectively.

However, this change is sparking intense debate within the global technology and human resources communities.

Zak Doffman, a security and privacy expert, wrote in Forbes that this is "bad news for millions of office workers." He argued that the automatic integration of location data is "a prime example of the philosophy that technology can do but shouldn't."

According to Doffman, location data is one of the most sensitive types of data because it can reveal employee movement patterns, attendance times, and even personal habits.

"Just one lapse in data management, and location information could become a tool for surveillance or discrimination," he warned.

Many security experts also emphasize that although this feature only displays the building name and not the precise coordinates, it still poses a risk of privacy infringement, especially if businesses use the data to track employee attendance or work frequency.

On forums like Reddit and Microsoft Tech Community, users have expressed concerns that Teams is "going too far" in tracking employees. One user wrote: "I don't need my boss to know what floor I'm on, as long as the work gets done."

Some HR professionals are concerned that the culture of trust within the company could be damaged. “A collaboration tool that turns into a surveillance tool will backfire,” Lina Chen, an HR expert in Singapore, told TechRadar Pro.

TechRadar, the first to detect the update, commented: "Trying to find some quiet in the office to concentrate on work may soon become a thing of the past."

In response to the controversy, Microsoft stated that the feature does not track GPS location, but only records the location within the local network (Wi-Fi or connected devices) to help colleagues know who is in the same area.

The company emphasizes that users and administrators can customize or disable this feature in the Admin Center settings. The company's documentation also clarifies that users are in the opt-out state by default and will be prompted to agree when enabling the feature. Administrators cannot grant permission on behalf of users.

According to Windows Reports, this move shows Microsoft is aiming to make collaboration more seamless by ensuring colleagues always know where team members are working.

This update is expected to be rolled out globally to Microsoft Teams users on both Windows and Mac operating systems, starting in December.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/cong-nghe/tranh-luan-viec-microsoft-teams-sap-tu-dong-cap-nhat-vi-tri-nhan-vien-20251024094334102.htm