DrDawkinstein Posted February 18, 2010 Posted February 18, 2010 So this high school issues laptops to the students. The laptops have built in webcams. School officials had installed a program so they could activate the webcam at any time and spy on the students... WHILE AT HOME! taking things a little too far if you ask me
DC Tom Posted February 18, 2010 Posted February 18, 2010 So this high school issues laptops to the students. The laptops have built in webcams. School officials had installed a program so they could activate the webcam at any time and spy on the students... WHILE AT HOME! taking things a little too far if you ask me And got caught when they disciplined a kid for ""improper behavior in his home", which they saw on the web cam. I can't imagine a parent getting a call from the school system to the effect that "We saw your kid misbehaving last night at home, so he's in detention for a week" that wouldn't go absolutely !@#$ing ballistic at least over the fact that the school was performing unauthorized surveillence of their house.
Just Jack Posted February 18, 2010 Posted February 18, 2010 I can't imagine a parent getting a call from the school system to the effect that "We saw your kid misbehaving last night at home, so he's in detention for a week" that wouldn't go absolutely !@#$ing ballistic at least over the fact that the school was performing unauthorized surveillence of their house. There was probably some small print in the agreement they signed with the school for the webcam when they picked up the laptops.
meazza Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 There was probably some small print in the agreement they signed with the school for the webcam when they picked up the laptops. except spying on kids at home could possibly lead to child porn and I doubt there's any paper work that can make that legit
DrDawkinstein Posted February 19, 2010 Author Posted February 19, 2010 except spying on kids at home could possibly lead to child porn and I doubt there's any paper work that can make that legit exactly. these teachers and school officials arent saints themselves. is it too late to sign up to be the guy who has to monitor the cheerleaders at home?
Steely Dan Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 except spying on kids at home could possibly lead to child porn and I doubt there's any paper work that can make that legit Excellent point!!! This goes waaaaayyyy beyond disturbing, and enters into the real realm of "Big Brother". There have been many metaphorical uses of "Big Brother" but this is a literal one. If anyone has ever read 1984 they should remember that the main character has a TV like device that lets him see people and people see him. It is used by the government to spy on the citizens. The difference here is that the school district was doing it secretly while everybody knew "Big Brother" was doing it. I hope they do find some pictures that would enter into the realm of child porn so their asses would end up in prison for a long, long time. JMO
Alaska Darin Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 Keep in mind that the people who thought this was a good idea are the ones "educating" the next generation. We're so !@#$ed.
Just Jack Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 except spying on kids at home could possibly lead to child porn and I doubt there's any paper work that can make that legit I don't think that it specifically said they would be using it to check on them at home, just that it included a webcam that could be operated remotely. Check out this video, yes it's safe for work, it shows how to use Google to find unsecured webcams... http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-view-liv...-google-155767/
meazza Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 I don't think that it specifically said they would be using it to check on them at home, just that it included a webcam that could be operated remotely. Check out this video, yes it's safe for work, it shows how to use Google to find unsecured webcams... http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-view-liv...-google-155767/ What about this quote... The issue came to light when the Robbins's child was disciplined for "improper behavior in his home" and the Vice Principal used a photo taken by the webcam as evidence.
Just Jack Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 What about this quote... The issue came to light when the Robbins's child was disciplined for "improper behavior in his home" and the Vice Principal used a photo taken by the webcam as evidence. I saw that, what I'm saying is they may have had some generic phrase in their policy that the kids/parents would need to sign to accept the laptop. I did find their webpage, but can not find anything mentioning the webcams. The only thing that could be claimed is this... The laptop computers that will be issued to all high school students are the property of Lower Merion School District. Students are responsible for the appropriate use of these laptops both at school and at home. The laptops are for the use of students for educational purposes. All commercial, illegal, unethical and inappropriate use of these laptops is expressly prohibited. Here's their webpage if you want to check it out yourself... http://lmsd.org/sections/about/depart/tech...epart_tech_1to1
DC Tom Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 The laptop computers that will be issued to all high school students are the property of Lower Merion School District. Students are responsible for the appropriate use of these laptops both at school and at home. The laptops are for the use of students for educational purposes. All commercial, illegal, unethical and inappropriate use of these laptops is expressly prohibited. Sounds to me like the school violated its own terms of use.
BuffaloBud Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 Not to stir the flames any more than what they are, but how is this any different than the use of your company owned / issued computer. Do you seriously think that there is nothing running in the background checking on what sites you are visting or what you are typing into emails and such?
LeviF Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 Not to stir the flames any more than what they are, but how is this any different than the use of your company owned / issued computer. Do you seriously think that there is nothing running in the background checking on what sites you are visting or what you are typing into emails and such? Programs that check what websites you use aren't taking pictures of you while you're in the privacy of your own home.
DrDawkinstein Posted February 19, 2010 Author Posted February 19, 2010 Not to stir the flames any more than what they are, but how is this any different than the use of your company owned / issued computer. Do you seriously think that there is nothing running in the background checking on what sites you are visting or what you are typing into emails and such? keeping a log of the prohibited websites you browse to is NO WHERE NEAR the same thing as turning a camera on and watching people in the privacy of their own homes/bedrooms. the school did not go after the student because of something he did on his laptop. they were SPYING INTO HIS ROOM, and saw him behaving "inappropriately". this is equivalent to a peeping tom, not office network protection
DC Tom Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 Not to stir the flames any more than what they are, but how is this any different than the use of your company owned / issued computer. Do you seriously think that there is nothing running in the background checking on what sites you are visting or what you are typing into emails and such? There's a big difference between a company monitoring the use of company equipment, and a company using company equipment to monitor goings-on within my own home.
BuffaloBud Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 Unfortunately, I don't see it the same way as you all do.
RayFinkle Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 I don't think that it specifically said they would be using it to check on them at home, just that it included a webcam that could be operated remotely. Check out this video, yes it's safe for work, it shows how to use Google to find unsecured webcams... http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-view-liv...-google-155767/ Kinda creepy that you knew how to do this....I'm just sayin'
Just Jack Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 Kinda creepy that you knew how to do this....I'm just sayin' I didn't know how, I remembered an article I read that talked about unprotected webcams, so it was just a matter of Googling it.
DC Tom Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 Unfortunately, I don't see it the same way as you all do. And I don't understand how. To me, the difference between a company monitoring equipment, and a company monitoring me in my home is pretty clear. I'm not criticizing (point of note: when I am, I'll call you an idiot). I just don't see how you see an equivalence.
John Adams Posted February 19, 2010 Posted February 19, 2010 What about this quote... The issue came to light when the Robbins's child was disciplined for "improper behavior in his home" and the Vice Principal used a photo taken by the webcam as evidence. Brave of you to chime in on this thread. The school district does not have a prayer in this case. BTW, this is the same school where Kobe Bryant took Brandi to the prom.
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