This document highlights the notifications within macOS that directly affects Time Doctor Silent Version. It also provides instructions on how to use a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution to adjust alert settings and disable notifications while maintaining compliance and transparency.
Key Changes in macOS
Notification Alerts
After a successful installation, users will see the following pop-up notifications:
- Screen & System Audio Recording - in the new permissions pop-up screen, click Open System Settings, go to Screen & System Audio Recording, and turn SFProc ON.
- Background items notifications - Informs users about apps or services that are running in the background to help maintain control over system resources and privacy.
- Accessibility Permission Required - As soon as the app starts tracking time, a permission pop-up opens, click Open System Settings, go to Accessibility and turn SFProc ON.
- Privacy Notification - MacOS now notifies users whenever an application captures a screenshot of their screen, i.e., if screenshots setting is enabled for the user account.
- Video Continuous feature is enabled - MacOS notifies the users when the application is video recording the screen.
These alerts are part of Apple’s initiative to increase transparency and give users better control over their data and privacy.
Impact on Time Doctor Silent Application
Applications previously running silently for monitoring will now inform users of their activities through notifications, which could necessitate adjustments in communication strategies with the employees.
Managing Notifications through MDM
Organizations using an MDM solution to deploy and manage applications can adjust alert settings and disable notifications while maintaining user compliance and transparency.
How to Disable Notifications with MDM
- Access the organization’s MDM platform by logging into the MDM Console.
- Navigate to the application management section to start enabling application settings and permissions.
- Select the Time Doctor application.
- Configure the application’s settings to suppress notifications related to screen and audio-capturing activities.
- Deploy the updated settings to all affected user devices to ensure consistency across the network.
Note: Communicate Changes to Users (If needed) and explain the reason behind these configurations to reassure users about security and privacy practices.
Considerations:
- Compliance: Always ensure that any adjustments respect privacy laws and organizational policies.
- User Awareness: Despite suppressing notifications, it is good practice to maintain transparency by communicating openly with users about the existence and purpose of monitoring applications.
Ongoing Improvements
Time Doctor is actively exploring ways to further optimize these notification settings for non-MDM solutions, and enhancing user experience while adhering to Apple’s transparency requirements. This endeavor aims to provide tools and solutions that align well with organizational needs and compliance standards.
Should there be any inconsistencies or concerns regarding the article, contact support@timedoctor.com for prompt assistance.