This week's article hits close to home, since it is occurring right here in the Philadelphia area. It appeared on the Philadelphia News Website at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/85021742.html. It is an on-going story that has been attracting a lot of media attention. Recently, Lower Merion School districts have been facing an on-going federal lawsuit. Parents of sophomore Blake Robbins claim "the district improperly used a security program on the student's school-provided laptop to spy on the boy in his Penn Valley home." There is now a new turn in recent event in the civil lawsuit. In order for Lower Merion school administrators to discuss the laptop controversy to students and parents, they will have to receive the lawyer's blessing. Not only from their own lawyers, but the prosecution as well. This includes discussion towards concerned parents and students. Although this limitation is common among class-action litigation, it is very rare for a school district to be restricted in a nationwide controversy.
Recently in class we have been discussing the first amendment as well as advancements in technologies and how they affect us. The amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." The new restriction is almost challenging the right to freedom of speech. The school district is now unable to keep concerned parents and students informed, unless given prior approval. This lawsuit also brought to light the improvement of technology. We have discussed how the advancement of cell phone technology has led to a "sexting" issue. Also, how social networks such as Twitter and Facebook has changed the way we communicate. Now, there seems to be a question weather school-provided laptops, containing a "spying" program could threaten privacy rights. This lawsuit is continuing to build as it hits national news and brings up questions of privacy among the young population.
This article really hit home for me. I own a laptop, as I am sure many of you do, that has a built in camera. I am familiar with the little light that comes on when I am making a movie or skyping with a friend. It turns on when I hit start, and off when I close out of my program I am using. But imagine if the little green light turns on when you do not command it to. People could be watching and that is a scary thought. Just think who is watching the next time the light turns on, on your computer.
scary thought!!! do you know if the laptop really was spying??
ReplyDeletesometimes i feel like technology in general is a little out of control. so many cell phones have built in gps that would make it easy to see where you are/track your movements. same with newer cars....
its a bit nuts.
No, the case has yet to go to court, so I'm not sure what the outcome will be. But the parents think they have a very strong case against the school district. A lot of students have come forward saying the green light turns on quite often as well. Many are forced to cover it with tape to avoid this happening to them. But yes, it def is nuts to think about!
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