Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Feds Won't File Charges In School Laptop-Spy Case

Posted by samzenpus on from the noa-culpa dept.

jamie writes "Federal prosecutors have decided not to file charges against a Philadelphia school district or its employees over the use of software to remotely monitor students. From the article: '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.'"

6 of 398 comments (clear)

  1. A Horrendous Precedent by RobertM1968 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This really sets a horrendous precedent, as it gives school officials the ability to use such invasive and insane actions to spy on kids.

    Amazing that the government's "think of the children" response to everything else unrelated isn't being applied to one of the few cases where it actually should be.

    --
    StarTrekPhase2 - The Five Year Mission Continues!
  2. criminal intent? by flabbergast · · Score: 5, Insightful

    U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger says investigators have found no evidence of criminal intent...

    So, when the speed limit changes from a 55 to a 35 MPH zone in 100 feet and I didn't see the sign, does that mean I don't get a ticket because I didn't intend to commit a crime?

  3. Terry Childs also didn't have any criminal intent by Darth+Muffin · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Terry Childs didn't have any criminal intent either, and he caused a lot less harm. Look where that got him... I no longer have any faith in the "justice" system.

    --
    Real programmers use "copy con program.exe"
  4. Re:Very stupid question, but... by Ziktar · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The students did detect this. They saw the light blinking on and off, and reported it. These claims were dismissed as something wrong with the light. Of course, the fact that the claims were dismissed by the very group of people who could be taking the pictures should have made it seem a bit suspicious...

  5. So lets get some things straight... by mykos · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Recording children in their rooms without anyone's consent:
    Not wiretapping

    Recording the police on the job in a traffic stop at a public location:
    Wiretapping

    Source: http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=102616&catid=187

  6. Re:No Criminal Intent by Ossifer · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They took 56,000 pictures of minors in their bedrooms and watched them for fun out of incompetence or stupidity??!!?!