WORK PLACE SURVEILLANCE AND DATA PROTECTION: THE NEW DIMENSION OF LABOUR RIGHTS IN CYBER SPACE

AUTHOR – ANBU RANI A* & S.GOWSALYA**

*LLM STUDENT AT CYBER SPACE LAW AND JUSTICE, THE TAMIL NADU DR. AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY

**LLM STUDENT AT LABOUR LAW AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW, THE TAMIL NADU DR. AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY

BEST CITATION – ANBU RANI A & S.GOWSALYA, WORK PLACE SURVEILLANCE AND DATA PROTECTION: THE NEW DIMENSION OF LABOUR RIGHTS IN CYBER SPACE, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (12) OF 2025, PG. 1037-1041, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344

Abstract:

                In the digital economy, the boundaries of the workplace have extended into cyber space, creating new challenges for labour regulation and employee rights. Employers in India increasingly deploy technologies such as CCTV, biometric attendance, email monitoring, and GPS tracking to monitor workers’ productivity and ensure organisational security. However, these measures often conflict with the fundamental right to privacy, now constitutionally protected under Article 21. This paper explores how Indian labour rights intersect with data protection and workplace surveillance, analysing the constitutional foundation, statutory framework under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), and the relevant judicial pronouncements. It argues that the unchecked use of surveillance mechanisms risks undermining dignity, autonomy, and fairness in employment relations. The study concludes by proposing a balanced framework rooted in constitutional morality, employer accountability, and respect for informational privacy as a component of labour rights.

Key Words: Workplace Surveillance, Data Protection, Right to Privacy, Labour Rights, Cyber Law.