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

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.'"

Comments

Seriously... Criminal Intent?

[jpapon]

The case isn't dropped completely, and for that I'm glad:

A student and his family sued the district in February, claiming officials invaded his privacy by activating the software. That case continues.

But still, it really grinds my gears that this whole thing isn't explicitly illegal. The fact that it's legal for the school district to take thousands of screenshots of unsuspecting children is really pretty upsetting.

No Criminal Intent

[Greyfox]

Never attribute to Evil what can be explained by stupidity (or incompetence)

Re:"Intent"?

[Martin Blank]

I would question that someone 'knew' that their actions would cause harm to others.

The standard is usually "knew or should have known" -- you may not have known that the car was in gear before you tried to scare your friend by revving the engine as he walked in front of you, but you had the opportunity to check and should have done so prior to revving the engine.