What exactly is this?

Yup.Worthless.

 

Some companies monitor sounds inside the truck; that's no joke either.

 

It is likely a microphone for the stereo Bluetooth.

 

"Yes mam. That high pitched squealing IS your husband just before he jackknifed the truck."

 

Just think of the fun someone could have. If you were really good at doing voices you could have a 4 person conversation just to screw with the office staff lol.

 

Yea, it's the mic for the hands free bluetooth mode for the radio. Fairly useless, as when I've tried to use it, there is no noise cancellation so the person you are trying to talk to cannot hear you over the truck noise. Just use a good headset instead.

 

Depending on the state you are in, that is a serious offense if they haven't at least informed you that they are doing so and possibly gotten permission, with some pretty hefty fines and civil penalties associated with it in some states.

 

Perfectly legal in trucking. It's in the fine print the driver signs; the driver knows about it.
Swift has it, unless they've shut it off. Several companies have it.

 

If it's in the fine print. I'm sure many large companies have included such language but it's not something that can be done Willy nilly.