SPYCAM: New allegations by plaintiff's attorney...

[PCIntern]

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/20100225_Contradictions_in_L__Merion_Web-cam_case.html


Contradictions in L. Merion Web-cam case
By Derrick Nunnally and Larry King

Inquirer Staff Writers

The computer-snooping controversy in Lower Merion schools took a new twist last night as a lawyer claimed that a school official told his 15-year-old client that his school laptop contained evidence - both pictures and words - that he might be dealing drugs.

"She called him into the office and told him, basically, 'I've been watching what was on the Web cam and saw what was in your hands,' " lawyer Mark S. Haltzman said in an interview. " 'I've been reading what you've been typing, and I'm afraid you are involved in drugs and trying to sell pills.' "

Haltzman, who represents 15-year-old Blake Robbins and his parents in their controversial invasion-of-privacy suit against the Lower Merion School District, alleged that Lindy Matsko, assistant vice principal at Harrington High School, first contacted Michael and Holly Robbins in November and then called their son in.

The parents told school officials that they were mistaken, Haltzman said, and Blake was not disciplined. The lawyer said the family decided to sue only after a counselor told them that an account of the incident had been placed in Blake's school file.

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Once again...I don't care what the details are. This is important to remember. My issue is that the webcam was there in the first place. Period. These developments, although interesting, only serve to accentuate the obvious...

I can't recall the name of the comedian, it may have been Lenny Bruce, who did a whole stand-up routine on "Your Permanent Record"...if I heard that my kid had something placed into the record from surreptitious surveillance in my home, these people should have a whole lot more to worry about than lawsuits. If you think that I'm ridiculously extroverted and outspoken here at DU, you ain't heard nothing when there are no "Rules".

[TexasObserver]

1. The school personnel are in deep trouble.

and should be

[DeSwiss]

2. "My issue is that the webcam was there in the first place. Period."

EXACTLY!

At the end of the day when the school bell rings "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_loco_parentis">in loco parentis" is over. The school has neither the authority nor the right to invade any physical space outside their jurisdiction. And the baldfaced lie that they have told saying that they installed webcams to counter thefts of the computers is exposed as a sham seeing that of the "42 violations of privacy" involved no computers that were reported missing or stolen -- only those actively in-use by students.

Further, the inclusion of spying software WITHOUT informing the parents that they were doing so, smacks of BIG BROTHER and is no doubt in violation of numerous privacy rights -- not to mention very likely a number of child sexual abuse laws. Schools are not law enforcement agencies. Schools have no state or city authority to enforce any laws, except those that relate DIRECTLY to the education of the children in their jurisdictions.

Some people should go to jail for this. Others need to be fired. And if any lawyers were consulted prior to the hatching of this birdbrained scheme and they gave their go ahead to do this, then they should be disbarred. The condition of the secondary educational system in this country is abysmal. It appears that we no longer have institutions of learning, but rather holding pens administered by education-police. And now they appear to be vying to extend their power outside the schoolhouse doors.

- Well, FUCK YOU, but no thanks!!!

K&R

[ixion]

3. I agree with you...

this issue is that the school violated their privacy with the webcams. Anything obtained by said violation is irrelevant, and could never be introduced as evidence in a court of law.

[pokerfan]

4. k&r

[pipi_k]

5. Oh wow...I wish...

the parents had gone back to the school official to discuss this with a tape recorder hidden someplace on them.

It might or might not be admissible as evidence in court, but it sure would have made short work of the lies I'm sure are being told by the school officials.

[blogslut]

6. A small point of clarification

The webcams themselves aren't the problem. The majority of laptops manufactured in the last few years come with cameras installed. The problem was/is the security software and (alleged) off-campus monitoring of students via that software.

[etherealtruth]

7. Popping in to give you a "kick"

[tammywammy]

8. k&r

[Maat]

9. In addition to the invasion of privacy and what's been mentioned,

it also bugs me that these students were required to use these computers for a class. No one will be mandating this set-up for this household, or telling my kid what computer she has to use. That's just plain B.S. They set up these families for abuse.