Private, Monitored VPN's?

[CuriousBro]

I got a new job, and everyone uses a private VPN to access work from home via cell phone. The contract states they don't look at text messages, nor internet search history. They do monitor every email... My problem, if I understand it accurately, is that they can look at any data passing through their servers. Is there any laws regarding such issues? I'd rather not carry two cell phones. And at some point, it won't be possible not to have it on me everywhere I go.

 

 

I'm looking for clarity around this issue. I just don't know how to think about it. Any thoughts?

[Mr Technician]

Can't you just disable the VPN when you're not using it?

[CuriousBro]

It's through the carrier. All the data is funneled through their servers. If I understand this accurately, not saying I do. 

[Donut417]

48 minutes ago, CuriousBro said:

I got a new job, and everyone uses a private VPN to access work from home via cell phone. The contract states they don't look at text messages, nor internet search history. They do monitor every email... My problem, if I understand it accurately, is that they can look at any data passing through their servers. Is there any laws regarding such issues? I'd rather not carry two cell phones. And at some point, it won't be possible not to have it on me everywhere I go.

 

 

I'm looking for clarity around this issue. I just don't know how to think about it. Any thoughts?

OK. So heres the deal. All a VPN is, is a secure tunnel across the internet from point A to point B. Basically your phone is creating a secure connection between your phone and the companies network. This way you can securely access company resources. As your using company resources, they legally can monitor some things. If its a company email, they have full rights to monitor. But generally unless your using a company supplied device they may not be able to legally monitor everything. That being said, to me your better off carying two devices. Because as long as the VPN is connected your data will be tunneled to your companys network. You may be able to swtich the VPN on and off at will. In which case that would be best if you want to use one device. My advice is to check out the labor laws in your area. They will make things much more clearer on what a company can do.

 

26 minutes ago, CuriousBro said:

t's through the carrier.

Most likely NO. 

[beersykins]

10 hours ago, CuriousBro said:

Is there any laws regarding such issues?

What’s your angle bro?  

[Lurick]

10 hours ago, CuriousBro said:

It's through the carrier. All the data is funneled through their servers. If I understand this accurately, not saying I do. 

Is this your personal phone or a company phone? If it's a company paid for phone then there is jack all you can do. They also have their own private APN so all traffic goes through their network and leaves from a main office or aggregation point to the internet as needed.

 

9 hours ago, Donut417 said:

-snip-

Since it's through the carrier then it's not a VPN but almost certainly a private APN network. I suspect this is a company phone in which case OP is SOL.

[Alex Atkin UK]

16 hours ago, Lurick said:

Is this your personal phone or a company phone? If it's a company paid for phone then there is jack all you can do. They also have their own private APN so all traffic goes through their network and leaves from a main office or aggregation point to the internet as needed.

 

Since it's through the carrier then it's not a VPN but almost certainly a private APN network. I suspect this is a company phone in which case OP is SOL.

Surely they could just use their own VPN, that way the traffic going over the company network is encrypted so they CAN'T snoop on it.

 

Of course this depends on if it would go against the rules for using the company network, I wouldn't be surprised if they strictly forbid it.