Is mouse movement really the same as being productive?

A remote employee, who had been working for that company for two years, was accidently CC’s on an email and found out that everyone had been monitored for productivity by analyzing their mouse movement. Although he recognized downloading software related to this matter, he was never informed he was actually going to be monitored. Now he’s debating whether to quit or pretend he’s not aware of this.

Stories like this really catch my attention because I left a job that wanted me to install one of these tracking software programs. I’ve been working remotely for years now, and that was the first time someone wanted to track how my day went. I understand that most remote companies track their employees’ day-to-day, but I cannot see it as anything other than distrust. 

If a manager is content with their employees’ workload, and can sit with them and have a talk when things are not working out, I don’t see the point in having a program that’s going to record your screen and detect your mouse movements for a long period of time. It doesn’t make sense to me at all. 

Also, we are human beings, and we can’t have a strike of eight hours of productivity. We have to use the bathroom, have a coffee, eat lunch, and have those moments to stare at the wall and think. And, of course, those programs can’t detect that: they just informed your «low productivity», no matter if you’re reaching your deadlines and achieving your goals.

I’d suggest the OP look for another job, honestly. There’s nothing worse than feeling paranoid and having yourself be more mindful about the tracker, rather than the quality of your work. Let us know in the comments what your opinion is and what you would do in this situation.