Washington, DC — In an unusual and somewhat insidious gambit, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering all its employees internet access for personal mobile phones, laptops, and other devices, according to an EPA memo posted this week by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Connection would allow EPA the ability to monitor employees’ personal internet-based usage and potentially their communications.

Currently, EPA has no Wi-Fi for employees’ personal devices in their buildings. Employees use data when they use their personal phones at work. EPA policy already allows for ‘incidental use’ of government equipment so long as it does not interfere with official duties.

The offer comes in an all-employee “Notification” from EPA’s Office of Mission Services announcing that “Wi-Fi network ‘EPA Workforce’ is now available to connect EPA federal employees’ personal wireless devices for internet access.” The notification explains that this service is solely for employees’ “personal (non-EPA-issued) devices” and that “EPA-issued devices – both mobile phones and laptops – are not authorized for use on the network.”

Further, the Notification warns that, “The EPA Workforce network is not for official government business or communication.” It also states that “Agency privacy conditions and conditions of use apply to the network” but does not reveal what those conditions are. Employees will only learn about these conditions “during registration.”

“EPA employees should not take advantage of this free service,” remarked PEER Science Policy Director Kyla Bennett, a scientist and attorney formerly with EPA. “Through this connection, EPA will be able compile data and information on their employees’ personal internet usage.”

Bennett points to a new internal emphasis at EPA on documenting employee time-card abuse. This portal would help substantiate instances of employees using personal devices during what are supposed to be business hours.

Further, this connection would enable the agency to track what internet sites employees visit on their own time and compose profiles of workers with interests that would raise suspicions of current Trump-appointed overseers.

“Given that EPA is now in the process of laying off hundreds of scientists engaged in research on public health issues, why is providing this personal amenity a legitimate government expense?” asked Bennett, noting that the accumulation of sensitive database access compiled by the Elon Musk-directed operatives form the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, “This offer is certainly no gift horse but is likely a Trojan one.”

PEER has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for documents indicating the cost of this service.

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See the OMS Notification

Read PEER’S FOIA request

Look at EPA incidental use policy