INVASION OF PRIVACY

[aceboy44]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_laptops_s ... n_students" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Black Six]

Yeah I read about that a couple days ago. I can't believe no one on that planning committee didn't realize what a stupid thing they were doing...

[bicostp]

That's why you put a piece of electrical tape over the built-in webcam (or get a laptop without one).

[timmeh87]

They actually gave them the (apple) laptops with the software pre-installed, and stated that students can cover it with tape if they want.

Its a legit way to recover laptops, I think. But then why was the camera activated on a non-stolen laptop? And who is dumb enough to think candy is drugs? Getting a little excited about fighting crime with your super-secret-spy cam? Busted.

[limpport]

So much legal fail I don't even know where to begin.

[snowpenguin]

Maybe it's a good way to find the laptops but that doesn't make it legal or moral, lol.

[timmeh87]

I think its pretty legal guys. (as long as you have blindly agreed to something while accepting your free school computer). You are recorded by cameras like 10 or more times per day.

I was at the airport yesterday, and I noticed that the ticket machines all have webcams in them that presumably take pictures of you as you buy your ticket.

[Black Six]

There's a difference between being recorded in a public space when it's obvious you're being recorded and being recorded in your home without your knowledge. As far as I'm aware the parents and students were never made aware that the cameras could be activated remotely. That seems pretty illegal to me.

[Black Six]

Got any proof? Oh wait, they 'don't want you to know about it.' Sounds more paranoid then anything. Anyway, if you're being investigated by the government they usually have a darn good reason to, rather than, 'we're putting software on our students' computers so we can spy on them in their homes!'

[aceboy44]

http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625 ... s-19196035" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm actually starting to think that schools actually HAVE the right to turn on webcams

[Sparkfist]

I love the part were the President of the school district, says "... we are not aware of any evidence that district employees used LANrev photographs or screen-shots for such inappropriate purposes."

It doesn't matter what purpose these were used for, hell it doesn't matter if they were just sitting on a hard drive. The fact is that this is an invasion of privacy that should never have happened. For one the school should have released with the contract for the laptops all software that was going to be on it, and it's purpose. The only way this school district could remotely cover their behinds on this whole thing is if (like B6 said) they had it written out in the contract that the software would be used for this purpose. In which case they might escape with a slap on the wrist.

-Sparkfist