Sneaks bearing gifts
Lower Merion School District in Philadelphia is well funded. Funded well enough in fact that they issued laptops to high-school students. All well and good so far, eh?
Blake J Robbins v. Lower Merion School District paints a picture straight out of 1984. The Robbin’s child was disciplined by the school for “improper behavior”. (What’s that you say? Nothing wrong here?) The action was for “improper behavior in his home”. With, as evidence, a photo provided by the webcam on his school-issue laptop.
Big Brother truely is watching.
Robbin v. Merion School District is a class action suit on behalf of all students that were issued with these laptops. Class action suits are civil actions. I, however, believe that actual criminal charges would be more appropriate. While wiretapping may not strictly apply, I am certain that the placement of surveillance devices into homes is governed by some sort of legislation.
Or … consider the potential for what kinds of pictures they may have gathered. What student would not have their laptop in their room? Perhaps while they were getting ready for bed?
Conspiracy to create child pornography seems to be the least of the charges that might be applied here.
Anyway, the lesson learned by the Trojans so long ago bears repeating: beware of apparatchiks bearing gifts.
(source: http://www.boingboing.net/2010/02/17/school-used-student.html)
