Schools, Laptops, and Privacy

     As noted on an earlier post, a high school in Pennsylvania has the capability of turning on the webcams on the laptops that the school has issued to their students. While the school has said that they have only turned on the webcams remotely about 40 times, when a laptop has been reported missing, the practice came to light when an administrator approached a student about the fact that it apperaed he was “selling drugs” from his bedroom. (Mike and Ike candies were the actual culprit).

      Police need search warrants to enter our homes, but the school board does not?

      What are yourr thoughts?

PA School Uses “School-Issued” Laptop Webcams to “Spy” on Students……@ Home

 

http://americasright.com/?p=3159

 

“On November 11, 2009, Plaintiffs were for the first time informed of the above-mentioned capability and practice by the School District when Lindy Matsko, an Assistant Principal at Harriton High School, informed minor Plaintiff that the School District was of the belief that minor Plaintiff was engaged in improper behavior in his home, and cited as evidence a photograph from the webcam embedded in minor Plaintiff’s personal laptop issued by the School District”