Imagine your search terms, key-strokes, private chats and photographs are being monitored every time they are sent. Millions of students across the country don’t have to imagine this deep surveillance of their most private communications: it’s a reality that comes with their school districts’...
  • @[email protected]English
    15•3 months ago

    comes with their school districts’ decision to install AI-powered monitoring software such as Gaggle and GoGuardian on students’ school-issued machines and accounts.

    That’s kind of standard practice on any company issued devices I’ve ever used.
    Unless they’re being given for the kids to own. If they have to give them back at the end of the year, then they don’t belong to the kids.

    • @[email protected]
      10•3 months ago

      Exactly. You have no expectation of privacy on a system that isn’t yours. I can’t imagine a school district not informing parents about it before issuing the device.

      • @dragonrules
        7•3 months ago

        Usually parents have to sign a technology contract before a device is issued. As a teacher I also have to sign one before I’m issued a school device. I hate using a Chromebook but in my situation I am prohibited from bringing my own device other than a cell phone and I travel from room to room and it’s the only reliable way I can update grades and assign things on Google Classroom.

        I don’t have anything personal on it (including my password manager add on) and since the contract prohibits me from installing or using any unapproved software on the device I’m stuck with Chrome and incognito mode blocked.

        In a previous district, the admin had GoGuardian installed for us to use with the students. What they didn’t tell us was they installed it on all teacher laptops and desktops so they could make sure we were not doing anything unapproved during work hours.

        Schools are a privacy nightmare for both students and staff.

      • sunzu2
        5•3 months ago

        Yeah totally bro… That’s why some contractor should have access microphone and camera too, got to keep these kids safe.

      • UristMcHolland
        4•3 months ago

        If a school or library receives e-rate funding then they are required by law to monitor students online activity and protect their privacy from 3rd parties. They also typically have security practices that must be in place for their insurance company. The school board and parents could whine and complain about student privacy all they want but the law and their pocketbooks will make these decisions for them

      • The 8232 Project
        3•3 months ago

        I am a believer that everyone deserves privacy. Politicians and governments just as much as all citizens and students. I understand that isn’t the current state of things, but having worked directly for the head of technology in a school district, it’s way more invasive than it should be.