Back in February we reported on a truly unsavoury story of compromised privacy in the digital age. School administrators outside Philadelphia had issued new laptops to 1,800 students, then used the webcams to remotely spy on the students.
A student sued and weeks later, when a separate criminal investigation was announced, we said that “The Lower Merion School District is not going to get off with just a slap on the wrist.”
Turns out Federal prosecutors had a different opinion. This morning they announced that no charges will be brought against the school district or its employees, according to the Associated Press.
“US Attorney Zane David Memeger says investigators have found no evidence of criminal intent by Lower Merion School District employees who activated tracking software that took thousands of webcam and screenshot images on school-provided laptops,” writes the AP.
Whether or not there was criminal intent, there is something deeply disturbing about school officials taking more than 56,000 screen shots and webcam images of unsuspecting minors.
The student’s case against the school district continues. But school officials look to be clear from the more damaging criminal charges.
This could set a dangerous precedent. Teens are already oversharing thanks to social networks, cameraphones and incessant texting. The last thing needed is for authorities to feel emboldened by this and take advantage of diminished expectations of privacy.
