Employer asking me to download apps to my personal phone

[Penndav]

Am I being unreasonable in refusing to download an app that my employers have asked me to do? The app is in relation to security for my comptuter and laptop, which will notify my mobile every time there is a breach/hack of my computer and/or laptop. I do not like the idea of having the app on my phone or of the notifications. I believe my personal mobile is my own private possession and I don't believe I should be made to use it for work. I have asked for a work's mobile, but have not received a response from my employer. Am I being unreasonable if I refuse this and can they discipline me if I do not do it?

[ULA]

I presume that both pieces of IT equipment have been provided to you by your employer and that you work away from a fixed location if you have laptop?

As a suggestion could the notifications not be sent to your IT department, as I presume it would be them to action any breach/hack?

My view is that an employer cannot make you put work-related apps/software onto your own personal mobile and I would wait to see what response you get from your employer but come back to this thread if you need any further advice on this.

[theberenger]

Are you certain the app they want you to install is for the purpose you think it is?

For example, my own employer asks that we install the 'Microsoft Authenticator' app on our devices, but that is because our organisation enforces 2-factor authentication for all devices, so any time I attempt to access my account I must approve the attempt via my phone. This way, if my device is stolen or compromised, even if someone knows my password, they still cannot access my computers without access to my phone too.

Is it possible it's one of these authenticator apps you're being asked to install, and not in fact a 'hack detector'? If you want my advice, I would ask your employer for a clearer explanation of what the app is for before you refuse to use it. If it is what I suspect it is, it's entirely innocent.