is my employer allowed to track my company issued iPad2?

[iDeviceGuru]

Also the only way that they can track you from an iPad is if they have created the iCloud account and it's been put onto the iPad. This way they can track exactly where the iPad is. They can also wipe all of the data hands free. The one thing they can't do is look at what's on your iPad. Also if you're using it on their wifi they can't track who's doing what, names don't appear on wifi traffic.

The iDevice Guru

 

[Rediyz]

Yes your company has every right and the ability to track devices they own. That goes for cell phones too. Never imput text or dial numbers or even visit websites that you would not want them to know about. Even if you set private browsing or delete history or clear texts messages, your company can and probably will follow your keystrokes time to time.
Its a new world out there never say text search things you wouldn't want other people to know about even on your own device. I know that sounds kinda stupid and paranoid but it is what it is and it deffinently is.

 

[darkangelwitch]

If they gave you a brand new unopened one then it is unlikely they have put any apps on it to spy on you however as a company owned item they do have the rights to monitor your usage.

In the UK companies have the right to monitor emails sent on the computers and calls made on their telephones but employees must be notified of that fact.

They could potentially ask to see your iPad at any time so I suggest you do not keep any personal information on it as it is their property.

Darkangelwitch (Surrey) Sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[Mno]

There are a lot of things said in this thread that are true...but one dimension is dramatically missing: it highly depends on where you are working. Laws are not the same in the US or in the European Union. Even in Europe privacy laws are sometimes more strong than in other members state. If you go in Africa, Middle East or Asia this is again another story...
In some countries, there will be simply no laws forbidden whatever to your company. They can track you, read your emails and monitor whatever you are doing. In some other countries, our company will not be able to undertake any monitoring activities unless there is a suspicion of abnormal activities. In that later case, they could have to follow a precise and legal procedure before doing any monitoring.
I strongly advise you go to the HR dept and you ask them if you can use your iPad for personal use, respecting the company ethics. Try to have that in writing.
Large companies have very often an "acceptable usage policy" which describes how you can use any IT facilities (pc, laptop, ipad, phone, internet connection....). On top, in most countries, employees should sign it to make it legal.

 

[epepe]

Seems like a lot of confusing comments in this thread.

Did your company issue you an unopened, brand new iPad and did you set up your own Apple ID & account? Are you controling what apps go on it? If so, then it is likely that they cannot unless you are using it on their wifi where they can monitor traffic if they wish. You have to assume that anything you do on their network can be monitored, but like some have said, they likely will not be monitoring you unless they have a good reason to do so. Also, are you syncing to a work PC? If so, they have the right to get all of that stuff too. If they are giving you a setup iPad and an account that they control, then you better believe they can know everything you put on there.

If you really have stuff that is highly private, be carefully putting it on a work iPad. Doesn't seem like much effort is designed in for keeping things private. At least set up a lock screen. But don't assume that anything on your work iPad is yours to keep.

Unless there is a productivity issue or a concern about security, I don't they will spend a lot of time spying on you. Of course, there can be people who have a god complex that may get a kick out of doing stuff because they can.

Thanks to all who replied to my comment. Here's some additional info on my situation:

The iPad I received had a box, but had been opened & put in a case. They had me to set up my own NEW Apple ID/account, for the purpose of this iPad. They specifically said NOT to use an existing Apple account. I installed the apps myself, including those recommended by the company (as well as some I wanted). I am not using their network or syncing to their computer. I work from home & use my own computer. They have set the controls so that I cannot turn off "find my iPad," which is fine. I'm not hiding anything from them as far as my whereabouts and I respect their need to be able to track a lost or stolen device, as well as track employees who have productivity issues, which I do not. They have also set up the device so that I must use a passcode every time I open it, which although annoying, is probably a good security measure for the company as well as myself. They have told us we can enjoy it for personal use (games, watching movies, etc), although they cautioned against streaming on 3G, since that would mean a heavy data fee, which they would pass along to us. They also had us sign a form, which among other things, said that we understand that we will not be guaranteed privacy (which I assumed mostly applied to the tracking feature). I live in the USA.

My main concern is about my company's ability to access the information in my apps. For example, I set up a Dropbox account, and have considered putting personal documents on this. I am in possession of the iPad all the time, and would like the convenience of working on my personal documents on my own time, from the device. Alternately, I could use Google Drive.

Hope this clarifies things. Your input is very much appreciated.

 

[AQ_OC]

I'm curious. You cannot just on in and turn off find my iPad and disable the pass code? ( I have find my iPad enabled and I use a pass code on my personal iPad.) What I'm getting at is as far as I know (and I don't claim to be a expert or a guru) there is no way for them to have any kind of administrative control of your iPad, now that it is on an account that you have complete control over. iOS just doesn't allow that sort of thing. They can't track it, either. It is their iPad and they have the right to ask it back from you, but it is effectively under your complete control. Frankly, I think you can put your mind to rest on this issue. They gave you an iPad for productivity reasons and cannot track you or be some big brother (even though they may have that right) because you can't do those kinds of things on iOS.

Note: this kind of think could be done under other operating systems where we're designed to support enterprises.

 

[RW2112]

As an ex IT Tech, I can say that at our company any issued devices had an acceptable use policy provided to the employee. As per the policy, said devices were subject at the discretion of the employer to be turned over for inspection of the device and the contents therein.

There was no expectation of privacy as the device was purchased by the company for the express purpose of conducting company business, not personal.

I'd suggest keeping personal info off the device and then you'll not have to worry about it.

 

[DimKamen]

I'd keep in mind you're asking a forum for legal advice which isn't the best idea but from experience I'd say that they certainly could. Both legally and morally I don't see them have a problem monitoring their own equipment.

 

[dhewson777]

The iPad I received had a box, but had been opened & put in a case. They had me to set up my own NEW Apple ID/account, for the purpose of this iPad. They specifically said NOT to use an existing Apple account. I installed the apps myself, including those recommended by the company (as well as some I wanted). I am not using their network or syncing to their computer. I work from home & use my own computer. They have set the controls so that I cannot turn off "find my iPad," which is fine.

One question in regards to the above statement, after setting up the new AppleID, was the credentials given back to the company, or are they only in your possession?

The reason I ask, I'm trying to figure out how they can gain access to Find My IPad without them.

 

[iLoveForums]

as its company property its most likely to be a yes

 

[AQ_OC]

One question in regards to the above statement, after setting up the new AppleID, was the credentials given back to the company, or are they only in your possession?

The reason I ask, I'm trying to figure out how they can gain access to Find My IPad without them.

They can't.

Also, they won't.

This thread has gone off its rocker.

An iPad is a $500 device. This is nothing compared to the other costs that companies have. A single employee costs way, way more than this. The company has already told the employee that it is okay to use he device for personal stuff. I very much doubt they are going to turn around and get upset over how he uses that device.

Heck, my company has bought me $3000 worth of computers within the last six months. Sure, these computers belong to them. But the fact of the matter is that I will use these devices for their entire useful life. They are not even kept in inventory anymore. The company has no reason to ask for them back (though they can do this). No one cares a hoot for a couple of laptops. These devices are understood to be nothing more than tools for employee uses. I have about four other old laptop in my office collecting dust and forgotten about by any other human being.

I personally use them for whatever I wish. If they decided to collect them tomorrow (which won't happen), I still would not worry about that. I dont keep anything on a laptop that I need to sweat about someone else seeing, even if it is personal. Not that it is an issue I lose any sleep over.

OP: do you know how little time it takes to wipe an iPad? Less than one minute. Do you think your company will rip open your iPad to get the deleted data off the ssd to see what you've been up to on their $500 device? I seriously, seriously doubt this will ever happen. If you think it will, I suggest you ask them to keep their $500 device and you start looking or a new job, ASAP.

And it is not a good idea to take porn around on an iPad. But I'm sure you know this.

 

[darkangelwitch]

AQ, you obviously work for a great company however where I work (government offices) every item of equipment has to be accounted for and all computers and laptops can be requested for scrutiny at any time hence the advice not to keep any personal data on the equipment.

It is not paranoia just common sense. In actual fact we are specifically told not to use the equipment for any personal use, they are work items and must be used for such.

Maybe he needs to get clarification as to what is or is not allowed by his company rather than here.

Darkangelwitch (Surrey) Sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[AQ_OC]

Did read what the op wrote a few posts above. They have given him approval to use the iPad for personal use. The only issue here is whether they are or can be tracking him. All these other comments are confusing the point.

If the government hasn't figured out the waste of time and effort involved in tracking low cost, limited lifetime tools yet, it is no wonder they aren't efficient.

And what personal info is so important it can't be stored temporarily on an iPad? As long as he keeps a backup, there should be no problems. Ok....if he is working on his next novel and doesn't want it getting in the wild, he might want to pay attention to that. Or if he has the plans for the next great tech gadget, he ought to protect that! Yes, keep that stuff off company equipment if you think it might lead to the loss of something valuable to you. But you can put some pics of you kids in a Dropbox folder or have angry birds on there. You might not want company proprietary info on there, either, for that matter. You can put you tax returns on there if you have no issues with others seeing them.

The fact is being productive at work means you have to be productive in everything you do. Personal productivity impacts professional productivity. The iPad can help in both and apparently his company has no problems with that.

If they really wanted to track him, they could make him wear a gps tracking device as a condition of employment. Using an iPad for that purpose is just a poor idea.

 

[KevinJS]

For what it's worth, I keep company information on my own iPad. The information therefore belongs to the company but they would need my permission to get it.

 

[AQ_OC]

For what it's worth, I keep company information on my own iPad. The information therefore belongs to the company but they would need my permission to get it.

I use my personal iPad for work all the time. I probably use it more for work than for personal things. I keep a pass code on it just because there are a few sensitive things on there that I would not want to share with just anyone.