EVERETT, Wash. — Boeing announced it is canceling a new program that monitors employees in select offices.
In a statement Friday, a Boeing spokesperson said the company notified some employees last month that it was starting the pilot program "using a system for managing energy and space usage in selected office areas."
In a statement to KING 5, Boeing said, "This program has been canceled, and we are removing the sensors that have been installed."
The aerospace giant said the system analyzes motion data and environmental conditions but does not identify people or documents.
One employee at the Everett factory who did not want to be identified told KING 5 the program is "crazy stuff" and added that "it is shocking but not surprising."
A Boeing spokesperson pointed out that other companies also use the the system.
A recent study from Cracked Labs said these types of programs can be intrusive. The study states, "Once deployed in the name of 'good,' whether for worker safety, energy efficiency or just improved convenience, these technologies normalize far-reaching digital surveillance, which may quickly creep into other purposes."
The moves comes as Boeing is still working to restart production on its 737, 777 and other models. The company said it will take several weeks to reactivate in full compliance with its safety management system.
Boeing is also in the midst of laying off 10% of its workforce. Employees who have been notified will leave the company Jan. 17, 2025.