School in Philadelphia Takes GPS Tracking Too Far
Technology Used to Violate Personal Privacy
Legal Ramifications Loom Large
Source acquired via Short News, May 14, 2010, Philadelphia – Blake Robbins – a 15-year-old high school student – was recently confronted by his principal, Lynn Matsko, who accused Robbins of engaging in “improper behavior” while Robbins was inside of his home. Matsko gained this information using a webcam that was installed in Robbins’ school-issued laptop.
Recently, students who attend Harriton High School were given laptops that are equipped with GPS tracking technology and webcams. The school claims that this technology was added to the laptops in order to prevent theft, though school officials may be using the laptops to spy on students after school hours. The Apple MacBooks that the school issued have built-in webcams that can be activated by school officials.
Students and Parents Unaware of the Capability of the Laptop Camera
Each webcam can snap photographs of laptop users around the clock. When Matsko confronted Robbins, she told him that she had photographic evidence of his actions. When Robbins father spoke with Matsko about the issue, he was told that the school “…could remotely activate the webcam contained in a student’s personal laptop…at any time.”
The Lower Merion school district gained state grants in order to issue 2,300 laptops to students. The school believed that the laptops would promote “…active learning and enhanced student achievement.” What the school didn’t tell parents was that their children could be photographed, tracked, and spied on around the clock. One mother told press that her “first thought was that (her) daughter has her computer open almost around the clock in her bedroom. Has she been spied on?”
If the allegations against the Lower Merion school district are true, then the school (and its officials) will be legally responsible for violating student rights. American Civil Liberties Union legal director, Witold J. Walczak, told Associated Press that “school officials cannot, any more than police, enter into the home either electronically or physically without an invitation or warrant.”
The Truth Will Be Revealed Soon
School representative insist that the GPS and webcam capabilities each laptop has are only used to track stolen laptops. The school admits that GPS tracking has been used on numerous occasions to track stolen laptops, but that the school can’t believe “…anyone in the district did anything other than track stolen computers.” At the moment, it’s Robbins’ word against Matsko’s, though many students and parents alike are anxiously waiting to find out the truth. This case is currently being investigated by Philadelphia authorities, and a verdict is expected within the near future.
Tags: GPS Device, GPS devices, gps laptop tracking, GPS Tracking, GPS Tracking Device, GPS Tracking Devices, personal privacy, schools using gps tracking, student privacy
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