School spying on kids from laptops

[sammienj]

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=9882817

I have no idea what to think about this shit. I can't say I'm surprised at all but I am at loss for words. I just heard about this from a local news channel. It wasn't that long ago that I was at high school and I can't even imagine my high school pulling this kinda bullshit. These children were undressing in their rooms in between writing a report and going in the shower, while their computers were open and god knows what kinda sick fuck was spying on them. It's completely fucked in so many ways. The FBI is now getting involved. This school district and the people who were in charge of this program are fucking done.

[amadupname]

Good.

[Oldcrow]

Good.

moron.


No surprise here at all....there were many of us 12 years ago who had read about this technology and actually spoke about it..but we were "conspiracy theorists" and nutjobs.....hell, Google has been doin this shit to YOU for quite a while...

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/kit-eaton/technomix/forget-china-googles-toolbar-spying-you

http://tech-buzz.net/2006/08/13/is-google-spying-on-you/

edit: and hey, they can even jack up your cellphone and listen to and monitor you via it as well..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjEA9gEEfpU

[SHOCBOY-MARK]

My god, someone may be finding out all those dark secrets I keep, like when I look up recipes or store on the internet. And god help me if they here me bitching to my wife that the kids were brats today, or the meatloaf sucked, through my cell phone. What has this world come too.


In all fairness the shit with the kids being spied on was pretty fucked up and stupid. If you were worried about the comp getting lost or stolen just put a GPS tracker on it like a cell phone, using the webcam wasnt the smartest way of going about things.

[Oldcrow]

My god, someone may be finding out all those dark secrets I keep, like when I look up recipes or store on the internet. And god help me if they here me bitching to my wife that the kids were brats today, or the meatloaf sucked, through my cell phone. What has this world come too.

hahahahaha, your idiocy and level of docility never ceases to amaze. Did you even listen to the link, the news report that says your cell phones microphone can be turned on without you knowing and your conversations eavesdropped on? I guess you have no problem with the shredding of the 4th amendment..I 'spose you have no problem with your privacy being invaded unbeknownst to you, illegally and with no rule of law being applied.....and I guess you wouldn't have any problem with your kids being spied on by the almighty lords at school. Sickening.

[SHOCBOY-MARK]

hahahahaha, your idiocy and level of docility never ceases to amaze. Did you even listen to the link, the news report that says your cell phones microphone can be turned on without you knowing and your conversations eavesdropped on? I guess you have no problem with the shredding of the 4th amendment..I 'spose you have no problem with your privacy being invaded unbeknownst to you, illegally and with no rule of law being applied.....and I guess you wouldn't have any problem with your kids being spied on by the almighty lords at school. Sickening.

No, I just wanted to watch you blow your top as you usually do. Mission accomplished. Maybe you should try to practice what you preach about reading and understanding what you read and read the last part of the post.


In all fairness the shit with the kids being spied on was pretty fucked up and stupid. If you were worried about the comp getting lost or stolen just put a GPS tracker on it like a cell phone, using the webcam wasnt the smartest way of going about things.

[SHOCBOY-MARK]

By the way, now because of technology im probably in trouble because my wife will now find out I think her meatloaf sucks. Maybe Ted Kazinski was right, technology is evil.

[Oldcrow]

No, I just wanted to watch you blow your top as you usually do. Mission accomplished. Maybe you should try to practice what you preach about reading and understanding what you read and read the last part of the post.

blow my top eh? Mission accomplished? Not only are you full of shit, but you're a fuckin liar ta boot, that second part of your post was an edit dickweed....nice try though.

[J_BCS]

Nobody needs to see what i'm doing on the other side of this computer. I'm ashamed sometimes myself.

[Branded]

Could you explain to us why you take the position of "if I have nothing to hide, why should I be concerned?"?

Here is the truth, innocence is no protection at all against government because you put them in power to do what they think is best or a agent doing whatever in his power to get a promotion. I could cite example after example, but your socialist mindset couldn't grasp the basic idea.

The Bill of Rights is for the innocent.

So here is an example that might pull on them socialist heart strings. Would you tell the innocent Japanese Americans in the 40s they had nothing to fear from government about knowing their whereabouts and lineage?

[MazelTovCocktail]

the fact of the matter is, these were laptops, meaning that they are PORTABLE...what the fuck kind of bullshit excuse is it that turning on the webcams was in order to see if they get stolen or not? my laptop goes with me from my house to work, to the laundromat, anywhere i want...how would you be able to tell if the laptop is stolen based on viewing a different location? there is some nasty ass shit going on with this and the fact that these poor KIDS had them in their rooms while they were changing and doing whatever else...if i was a parent of one of these kids, i would be going fucking ape shit right now.

[sammienj]

the fact of the matter is, these were laptops, meaning that they are PORTABLE...what the fuck kind of bullshit excuse is it that turning on the webcams was in order to see if they get stolen or not? my laptop goes with me from my house to work, to the laundromat, anywhere i want...how would you be able to tell if the laptop is stolen based on viewing a different location? there is some nasty ass shit going on with this and the fact that these poor KIDS had them in their rooms while they were changing and doing whatever else...if i was a parent of one of these kids, i would be going fucking ape shit right now.

The problem with all of this right now is that a lot of the parents are fucking angered and disgusted but they can't have a class action lawsuit against the school district because they would be the ones paying for it in the long run through taxes. It's a tough situation. I haven't heard anymore info on all of this since the FBI is still investigating but what's going to happen to all of these kids in school? Is the entire district gonna close down?

[MazelTovCocktail]

The problem with all of this right now is that a lot of the parents are fucking angered and disgusted but they can't have a class action lawsuit against the school district because they would be the ones paying for it in the long run through taxes. It's a tough situation. I haven't heard anymore info on all of this since the FBI is still investigating but what's going to happen to all of these kids in school? Is the entire district gonna close down?

i read something that only two people had access to turn the cams on..i wonder if they could file personal criminal suits against those two for invasion of privacy, or something with a sexual tie to it, considering these are all minors and it would be the same thing as some perv installing cams in bathrooms and whatnot.

[amadupname]

moron.

I was implying that it was good that they shut it down. Not the fact they were spying on them.

also.....

http://www.backgroundchecks.com/

[grouchybastid]

Could you explain to us why you take the position of "if I have nothing to hide, why should I be concerned?"?

Here is the truth, innocence is no protection at all against government because you put them in power to do what they think is best or a agent doing whatever in his power to get a promotion. I could cite example after example, but your socialist mindset couldn't grasp the basic idea.

The Bill of Rights is for the innocent.

So here is an example that might pull on them socialist heart strings. Would you tell the innocent Japanese Americans in the 40s they had nothing to fear from government about knowing their whereabouts and lineage?

It constantly amazes me that so many people don't understand this concept.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

[Hexxx]

who watches the watchers... damn right... and that ain't a version of freedom of speech either via the media i.e. the internet they can hide behind
just plain wrong

[BigbroMC]

the fact of the matter is, these were laptops, meaning that they are PORTABLE...what the fuck kind of bullshit excuse is it that turning on the webcams was in order to see if they get stolen or not? my laptop goes with me from my house to work, to the laundromat, anywhere i want...how would you be able to tell if the laptop is stolen based on viewing a different location? there is some nasty ass shit going on with this and the fact that these poor KIDS had them in their rooms while they were changing and doing whatever else...if i was a parent of one of these kids, i would be going fucking ape shit right now.

The fact of the matter IS that these laptops belonged to the school. The students either actively (by signing a form) or tacitly (by logging on to the laptop) agreed to an end user agreement that, i assure you, included a line or two that stated that activities on the device could be monitored at any time. Provided that they webcams were turned on in accordance with written school district policy there was nothing wrong done.

If they were really worried about the school going "big brother" on them, WHY THE FUCK WERE THEY USING A SCHOOL LAPTOP FOR NON-SCHOOL RELATED ACTIVITIES?! It's the kids' damn fault for using the laptops out of the scope of their intent and it's the parents' damn fault for not fully understanding/enforcing appropriate use of the SCHOOL laptop.

[SHOCBOY-MARK]

The fact of the matter IS that these laptops belonged to the school. The students either actively (by signing a form) or tacitly (by logging on to the laptop) agreed to an end user agreement that, i assure you, included a line or two that stated that activities on the device could be monitored at any time. Provided that they webcams were turned on in accordance with written school district policy there was nothing wrong done.

If they were really worried about the school going "big brother" on them, WHY THE FUCK WERE THEY USING A SCHOOL LAPTOP FOR NON-SCHOOL RELATED ACTIVITIES?! It's the kids' damn fault for using the laptops out of the scope of their intent and it's the parents' damn fault for not fully understanding/enforcing appropriate use of the SCHOOL laptop.

While I agree with you to a point, kids will be kids and not always do as they are supposed to. I think they could have used a better way to keep track on the computers then the webcam, like GPS.

[BigbroMC]

The webcam is only part of the tracking software. When it is activated it sends IP information along with webcam images (to serve as evidence in any criminal/civil case) back to either a central 3rd party location or to the school system itself. That's the tracking software they chose as it would most likely be cost prohibitive to use GPS. Plus GPS is a whole lot worse privacy wise as it doesn't shut off, the software at least there is a "paper trail" to use it.

[Oldcrow]

The fact of the matter IS that these laptops belonged to the school. The students either actively (by signing a form) or tacitly (by logging on to the laptop) agreed to an end user agreement that, i assure you, included a line or two that stated that activities on the device could be monitored at any time. Provided that they webcams were turned on in accordance with written school district policy there was nothing wrong done.

If they were really worried about the school going "big brother" on them, WHY THE FUCK WERE THEY USING A SCHOOL LAPTOP FOR NON-SCHOOL RELATED ACTIVITIES?! It's the kids' damn fault for using the laptops out of the scope of their intent and it's the parents' damn fault for not fully understanding/enforcing appropriate use of the SCHOOL laptop.

Actually, those laptops were paid for by the taxpayers...who pay for the school, and teachers salaries, and books, and the football field...but really, you serious here? Thats like asking why are kids talking in class...I guess if little Johnny were finishing up his science assignment before gettin in the shower, and the principal decided it was cool to access "his" laptop during that whole process thats cool....the school owns NOTHING..everything they have was bought and paid for by us...thats like saying the school staff is correct when they toss parents out for arguing what their kids are being taught and indoctrinated about...

[BigbroMC]

Actually, those laptops were paid for by the taxpayers...who pay for the school, and teachers salaries, and books, and the football field...but really, you serious here? Thats like asking why are kids talking in class...I guess if little Johnny were finishing up his science assignment before gettin in the shower, and the principal decided it was cool to access "his" laptop during that whole process thats cool....the school owns NOTHING..everything they have was bought and paid for by us...thats like saying the school staff is correct when they toss parents out for arguing what their kids are being taught and indoctrinated about...

That right there is bullshit. The school system owns every asset under its control, the elected school officials have a fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers for the protection of those assets. This is true of everything that is funded by taxpayer funds. If the software was used under acceptable district policy thaen so be it. If the principal broke policy for accessing the webcams; hang his ass from the tallest tree in the town common. If policy approves of using the tracking software to monitor "problem" students then raise hell or pull your kids from the district, as that is unacceptable. If the parents are really worried about their student's activities being monitored they shouldn't have agreed to the user agreement and refused use of the laptop. If they were really worried about government intrusion WHY THE FUCK ARE THEY SENDING THEIR KID TO A GOVERNMENT SCHOOL?!

Now if this were occurring on privately owned laptops I'd be indignant, but the laptops are PUBLIC property, therefore there is no expectation of privacy (especially when it is contractually assured to not be private).

[STApressBaldy]

That right there is bullshit. The school system owns every asset under its control, the elected school officials have a fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers for the protection of those assets. This is true of everything that is funded by taxpayer funds. If the software was used under acceptable district policy thaen so be it. If the principal broke policy for accessing the webcams; hang his ass from the tallest tree in the town common. If policy approves of using the tracking software to monitor "problem" students then raise hell or pull your kids from the district, as that is unacceptable. If the parents are really worried about their student's activities being monitored they shouldn't have agreed to the user agreement and refused use of the laptop. If they were really worried about government intrusion WHY THE FUCK ARE THEY SENDING THEIR KID TO A GOVERNMENT SCHOOL?!

Now if this were occurring on privately owned laptops I'd be indignant, but the laptops are PUBLIC property, therefore there is no expectation of privacy (especially when it is contractually assured to not be private).

My source is from a radio talk show, "Handel on the Law." I don't have the actual source so I apologize. I think you had limited facts on the story and you probably jumped the gun prematurely. I'm assuming you thought the web cam feature was annotated in the contract and I'm assuming you thought people were told about this feature. Your wrong, no one knew about this feature. The school district is in an affluent neighborhood with rich parents so I'm pretty sure no one would have agreed to this. Here are some facts:

1. The school principal said the intended use for the security feature is to: find lost, missing, or stolen laptops.
2. The security feature was accessed 42 times in the last 14 months.
3. No parents were notified about this feature. The principal apologized for not doing so.
4. Two employees in the tech department are allowed access to the security software (they are not school officials).

How the story broke: The principal called in a kid for improper behavior at home (selling drugs). She thought the kid was selling drugs because the web cam showed contraband in his hand. The contraband turned out to be a piece of candy. So much for using the laptop for missing, stolen, and/or lost laptops. The kids parents are suing in a class action for violating wiretap laws and the right to privacy.

I could understand this being used on school property but in someone's home is going too far. There is also a possibility that these kids are also minors (high school kids). These kids could have been changing, having sex, etc. Not to mention, this is someone's home!!! :cool:

The school is completely fucked on this one and it doesn't have a leg to stand on. This is so big that the FBI has started an investigation for violating federal intrusion and wiretapping laws. This can now be a federal offense. The state attorney is also stepping in.

[Oldcrow]

That right there is bullshit. The school system owns every asset under its control, the elected school officials have a fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers for the protection of those assets. This is true of everything that is funded by taxpayer funds. If the software was used under acceptable district policy thaen so be it. If the principal broke policy for accessing the webcams; hang his ass from the tallest tree in the town common. If policy approves of using the tracking software to monitor "problem" students then raise hell or pull your kids from the district, as that is unacceptable. If the parents are really worried about their student's activities being monitored they shouldn't have agreed to the user agreement and refused use of the laptop. If they were really worried about government intrusion WHY THE FUCK ARE THEY SENDING THEIR KID TO A GOVERNMENT SCHOOL?!

Now if this were occurring on privately owned laptops I'd be indignant, but the laptops are PUBLIC property, therefore there is no expectation of privacy (especially when it is contractually assured to not be private).



wow....just wow...

I ain't even gonna bother replying to the rest of that drivel....see the post above mine.

[SHOCBOY-MARK]

wow....just wow...

I ain't even gonna bother replying to the rest of that drivel....see the post above mine.

And you wonder why people dismiss alot of what you say. Maybe if you didnt come off like such a douche you might get some respect. Everyone that doesnt agree with you is stupid, or what they write is drivel.

[MazelTovCocktail]

The fact of the matter IS that these laptops belonged to the school. The students either actively (by signing a form) or tacitly (by logging on to the laptop) agreed to an end user agreement that, i assure you, included a line or two that stated that activities on the device could be monitored at any time. Provided that they webcams were turned on in accordance with written school district policy there was nothing wrong done.

If they were really worried about the school going "big brother" on them, WHY THE FUCK WERE THEY USING A SCHOOL LAPTOP FOR NON-SCHOOL RELATED ACTIVITIES?! It's the kids' damn fault for using the laptops out of the scope of their intent and it's the parents' damn fault for not fully understanding/enforcing appropriate use of the SCHOOL laptop.

there is a difference between the schools being allowed to monitor their internet USAGE and two people from the school being allowed to SPY on the children via webcam without their knowledge. as i said before, it's the same thing as two pervs hiding cameras in a bathroom and flipping it on for their enjoyment.

[Branded]

And you wonder why people dismiss alot of what you say. Maybe if you didnt come off like such a douche you might get some respect. Everyone that doesnt agree with you is stupid, or what they write is drivel.

If there was no tension here would anyone want to fact check their words? It would be illogical opinions being thrown around.

[SHOCBOY-MARK]

If there was no tension here would anyone want to fact check their words? It would be illogical opinions being thrown around.

True, but you dont act like a douchebag when you disagree with something. Im not saying we should all sit around and singng Kumbia but this guy comes off like a dick.

[STApressBaldy]

Not to mention, the school's only defense is that they didn't have criminal intent. <-- this is not a very good defense at all. You could commit a crime but not have any intentions of being malicious.

[Peter]

If they did that to me when I was in high school or whatever, they would have immediately caught me jerking off.

[Oldcrow]

And you wonder why people dismiss alot of what you say. Maybe if you didnt come off like such a douche you might get some respect. Everyone that doesnt agree with you is stupid, or what they write is drivel.

most people don't dismiss what I say....and I get plenty of respect thank you.

[Preacher]

And you wonder why people dismiss alot of what you say. Maybe if you didnt come off like such a douche you might get some respect. Everyone that doesnt agree with you is stupid, or what they write is drivel.


most people don't dismiss what I say....and I get plenty of respect thank you.

I'll be a bitch and suck up about this, but I spend a lot more time investigating and looking into shit now because of Oldcrow here. Started out just due to him and a few others posting such crazy shit on here, but now I check here for my news more often then I do my old sources. haha.

[BigbroMC]

wow....just wow...

I ain't even gonna bother replying to the rest of that drivel....see the post above mine.

The rest of that "drivel" is what I do for a living in the highly litigious private sector (hence the username), there is a fine line for using such software that is ALWAYS described in some written policy somewhere. For the record I'm not a company official. ;)

Companies use software like this on their assets all the time. Like I said in that "drivel" if those 42 activations were in line with the stated policy and used on laptops concerned missing (no matter where they may be. the main purpose of the software) fine. If the principal authorized the use of the software out of the scope of policy then string him up, bring the techs with him.

Ignorance of the policy, on the parent's or school's part, is no excuse. Shame on the principal for any ill use, shame on the parents for allowing the laptops into their homes in the first place without looking for the quite obvious strings attached.

[Oldcrow]

The rest of that "drivel" is what I do for a living in the highly litigious private sector (hence the username), there is a fine line for using such software that is ALWAYS described in some written policy somewhere. For the record I'm not a company official. ;)

Companies use software like this on their assets all the time. Like I said in that "drivel" if those 42 activations were in line with the stated policy and used on laptops concerned missing (no matter where they may be. the main purpose of the software) fine. If the principal authorized the use of the software out of the scope of policy then string him up, bring the techs with him.

Ignorance of the policy, on the parent's or school's part, is no excuse. Shame on the principal for any ill use, shame on the parents for allowing the laptops into their homes in the first place without looking for the quite obvious strings attached.

dude, go back and read what Stapress wrote, the school made no mention of the software to the kids or their students among other things...

[MazelTovCocktail]

The rest of that "drivel" is what I do for a living in the highly litigious private sector (hence the username), there is a fine line for using such software that is ALWAYS described in some written policy somewhere. For the record I'm not a company official. ;)

Companies use software like this on their assets all the time. Like I said in that "drivel" if those 42 activations were in line with the stated policy and used on laptops concerned missing (no matter where they may be. the main purpose of the software) fine. If the principal authorized the use of the software out of the scope of policy then string him up, bring the techs with him.

Ignorance of the policy, on the parent's or school's part, is no excuse. Shame on the principal for any ill use, shame on the parents for allowing the laptops into their homes in the first place without looking for the quite obvious strings attached.

serious question, did anyone see the user agreement that the kids/parents signed? when i was in high school, we were assigned laptops but we didn't have webcams (god i feel old) and we agreed to having the computer and internet usage monitored and i'm in complete agreement with that...same for work issued computers, their shit = they get to see how you're using &/or abusing it. i don't believe that there was anything written in regards to basically having a surveillance camera installed without their knowledge...not just talking about the kids, i'm talking about the parents here too..kids use their laptops in common areas of the home, putting anyone present in plain view of perfect strangers, on film no less - hence why the principals are apologizing and whatnot...

[Hexxx]

All this techno garbage still doesn't beat a long jacket & a hand full of sweets or boiled lollies


Actually i said to my god daughter who is 9 what do you say if a stranger offers you sweets little girl..
Fuck the sweets show us your small cock pervert... she answers
damn did that shock me and her mum .. who then slapped me saying i taught her that...
i didn't,but it is a good come back

[MazelTovCocktail]

All this techno garbage still doesn't beat a long jacket & a hand full of sweets or boiled lollies


Actually i said to my god daughter who is 9 what do you say if a stranger offers you sweets little girl..
Fuck the sweets show us your small cock pervert... she answers
damn did that shock me and her mum .. who then slapped me saying i taught her that...
i didn't,but it is a good come back

thhhhhhheeeeeee FUCK???

[StraightSkin]

The schools just want kiddie porn.

[Ruby Doe]

Here's an update. I do find the picture disturbing. Haha!

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/spying-school-district-update-remote-webcam-functionality-disab/

[STApressBaldy]

Here's an update. I do find the picture disturbing. Haha!

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/spying-school-district-update-remote-webcam-functionality-disab/

Oooohh, look who keeps updated on engadget.

[Ruby Doe]

Oooohh, look who keeps updated on engadget.

And what exactly is your point, sir?

[Delboy]

I think it's necessary to spy on them. Alright, get this. I was talking to my little brother the other today and apparently the yoot use their laptops to look at pornographic images. We have to keep tabs on these things otherwise future generations will be blind with hairy palms.

[STApressBaldy]

And what exactly is your point, sir?

I have no point.

http://www.leevanderboegh.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/broken_pencil.jpg

I do the same thing.:cool: