High School spying on students in their homes

[kc261]

Here are a few links:
http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/02/18/24789.htm
http://content.usatoday.com/communit...top-web-cams/1
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front...classroom.html

Basically the story is that a high school issues laptops to all of its students. Laptops that were equipped with webcams. Webcams that could be remotely activated by the school district. None of which was disclosed to students or their parents.

It came to light when the principal reprimanded a student for "improper behavior in his home". It turns out the student was holding some Mike & Ike candies in his hand, but the principal thought they were drugs when the image was captured by the webcam.

Supposedly the webcams were a security feature, to be used in case a laptop was reported lost or stolen, but people are concerned how many images the school district may have of students and their families in various states of undress and other compromising positions. I've skimmed through several articles on the subject, and I can't find anything stating one way or the other whether the laptop that captured the Mike & Ike image had ever been reported stolen. I'd think if it had been, the school district would be getting that piece of information out....

Scary.

[Kaorte]

Wow, talk about invasion of privacy!!

[Boanerges]

I seen a friend of mine post about this on Facebook. I am glad none of my kids went to that school!!!! Makes you wonder what type of pervert thought that was a good idea and thought nothing was wrong with it???

[joepythons]

Wow i see a school being in alot of legal transactions .

[Jaydizzl05]

Wow i see a school being in alot of legal transactions .

This.

[Dave763]

Federal grants are given to school districts for the laptops,then they come with the spy software already installed.
They get the kids to write reports on their family members. These are downloaded and become part of a database.

Oh it's ok though, it's all for our safety Like the naked body scanners.
If you have a mic on your computer they can listen in
http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/is-...rs-microphone/

[Dave763]

All cell phones have the ability to track you with GPS as well as listen. Taking out the battery defeats this. That is why new phones are made so the battery can not be removed.

[I<3Dreamsicles]

For some reason those laptops, along with cell phones seem extremely wrong to me.

I wonder what it could be.

[RichsBallPythons]

Federal grants are given to school districts for the laptops,then they come with the spy software already installed.
They get the kids to write reports on their family members. These are downloaded and become part of a database.

Oh it's ok though, it's all for our safety Like the naked body scanners.
If you have a mic on your computer they can listen in
http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/is-...rs-microphone/

That microphone is such a myth. If anyone who is at least computer literate will know when someone is in their computer(hacking). I could give any one here my username password and IP and try to get into my computer. Just will not happen with my setup or anyone elses

[Bleepr]

Schools have no business what-so-ever in the lives of thier students outside of thier walls.