Tech & Biz

Using Skype to spy on my employees

by mtippett | March 31, 2009 at 10:39 am

1190 views | 35 Recommendations | 11 comments

Don in our office recently installed the Skype app on his iPhone. The interesting thing that we discovered is that I can now call him on the skype app on my MacBook Pro and access his microphone and hear everything. As his boss this is very handy but Don is concerned for some reason.

Anyone else have this experience?

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Jordan Yerman

at 10:53 on March 31st, 2009

Strangely, Don's Mac-based Skype client's auto-answer was switched on when he installed the iPhone app.

I confirmed this by crank-calling him.

At first blush, it looks like a bug: auto-answer switched on if logged into Skype while installing iPhone app. Fixed by toggling auto-answer to off, but this is not a good default setting.

At least the Skype-call bubble opens, so you know someone can see/hear you!

an employee (not verified)

at 10:59 on March 31st, 2009

so this happens even if the employee did not answer the call?

mtippett

at 11:20 on March 31st, 2009

In the test we did, yes. It doesn't even ring.

luckyy (not verified)

at 10:14 on April 15th, 2009

hy,plz help me,my wife gonna cheat me,she's using skype,i know hert id and password can i listen her conversation while she's call to some1,plz sort it let know via email

luckyy (not verified)

at 10:20 on April 15th, 2009

hy,plz help me,my wife gonna cheat me,she's using skype,i know her id and password can i listen her conversation while she's calling to some1,plz sort it let me know via email is OM166@HOTMAIL.COM

WestSideGuy (not verified)

at 11:02 on March 31st, 2009

Just tried it and it didn't work for us.

Jordan Yerman

at 11:08 on March 31st, 2009

To answer the above, in order:

1. Yes.

2. PC or Mac? Skype running or not running on the computer during app install?

Karen Hatter

at 11:45 on March 31st, 2009

Well, that creeps me out.

Swan

at 16:44 on March 31st, 2009

It equates to tapping someone's phone. So, I have Skype and anyone can call me and hear my conversations, and I wouldn't have a clue? I agree with you Karen - it creeps me out too.

That's it. No more Skype for me! Thanks for the warning!
~ Swan

Paschen

at 16:50 on March 31st, 2009

I use Skype for years now on a Mac and I never encountered this problem. Not on my Computer, Skype phone or cell phone. Is that only with new applications or set ups?

Exec Assist (not verified)

at 10:23 on June 10th, 2009

Has anyone discovered using Skype (to keep in touch with) or a NannyCam (to keep an eye on) an elder and sick loved one that lives thousands of miles away? If so how?