In a world where technology seamlessly integrates into our daily lives, privacy concerns are growing, especially in the workplace.

A recent report highlights a potential privacy risk that might catch many employees off guard: employers could use work-provided AirPods to track employees’ movements.

This unsettling possibility, reminiscent of a plotline from the Netflix series You, has raised alarms about how seemingly innocuous devices can double as surveillance tools.

Marc Porcar, a tech expert at QR Code Generator, has issued a warning about the privacy risks associated with AirPods provided by employers.

Apple’s AirPods, first released in 2016, are wireless Bluetooth earbuds that can be tracked using the Find My app on iOS devices.

While this feature is designed to help users locate lost devices, it can also be exploited if the AirPods are linked to an employer’s Apple ID.

If an employer provides AirPods that are already opened or without packaging, it’s possible they’ve been pre-linked to their Apple ID.

This setup allows them to monitor the AirPods’ location—and by extension, the employee’s whereabouts—through the Find My app.

For remote workers, this could mean your boss knowing if you’ve stepped out for a lunch break at a pub or taken a walk before the workday ends.

Porcar explains that while AirPods lack built-in GPS or cellular capabilities, they can still be tracked indirectly through a paired device, such as a work-issued phone or laptop.

Even older AirPods models, though less precise, are not immune to this tracking capability.

This raises significant concerns about employee privacy, particularly in hybrid or remote work environments where personal and professional boundaries often blur.