I wanted to briefly mention the great follow-up reporting going on at Philly.com on the Harriton High spycam case. This article contains so much great detail and investigative reporting that to summarize it here wouldn't do it justice; if you're following this case, I encourage you to read the whole thing. I wanted to briefly call out one detail, however. There's been a lot of commentary on this blog to the effect that the school might have been within its legal boundaries when activating webcams remotely for the purpose of theft tracking. Not being a lawyer, I've been hesitant to render a legal opinion. However, I find this quote telling:
Joseph Daly, who retired in 2009 as Lower Merion police superintendent, said he never knew that his department was being furnished with pictures snapped from students' laptops.
"God, no, I don't remember that," he said when told about it. "That's illegal as hell."
Well then. Unless he's been grossly misquoted, I believe we have an expert opinion at last.
-stryde.hax
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In the same article, they quote the new owners of the security software as saying the webcam pictures aren't admissible in court and they will be discontinuing the feature.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_top_stories/20100416_1_000s_of_Web_cam_images__suit_says.html?viewAll=Y&text=#comments
You might want to post another followup re. the Lower Merion debacle--there's been a TON of new developments over the past few days:
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20100416_1_000s_of_Web_cam_images__suit_says.html
Oops. The family's now claiming that they have emails between school admins having a blast spying on the kids.
http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/pennsylvania/20100410_ap_lawyer5thtakenatpawebcamspyingdeposition.html
Oops #2. The IT head took the 5th in her deposition, even though she hadn't been directly charged with anything. That can't be good.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20100416_The_Lower_Merion_School_District_today_acknowledged_that_NO_HEAD_SPECIFIED.html
Oops #3. The school finally admits that the "only" 42 times line is B.S. "substantial" numbers of photos?
Hoo boy.
I'm a teacher, so that webcam issue really hits home. Stay on it!
Dr. John Orman (who has passed) and I took the Connecticut for Lieberman Party to new highs or lows, depending on your affiliation.
This diary includes links of some our exploits -
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/7/7/64843/09234
CFL's name and mine has been used to make a few bucks. Dr. Orman was highly esteemed by all. What they have doe is also illegal.
However, the few attorneys I've contacted have no idea how to deal with it.
Here's the law:
http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/using-name-or-likeness-another
Here's the problem link:
http://businesshelp.casubi.com/search/susan%20henshaw%20connecticut%20for%20lieberman
Lieberman accused us CT bloggers of bringing down his website, (which was unfounded).
We're really a bunch of volunteers happy when we remember to charge our cellphones. This is over our heads.
Thanks for reading this - it's been bothering me for a while. Please feel free to send this request to anyone you know and trust who might help.
Sincerely,
Sue Henshaw
Past Secretary, CFL Party
http://crooksandliars.com/2007/06/15/party-head-asks-lieberman-to-resign
(see also WSJ Bottom Stories of the Day)
http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110010209
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