With the increasing amount of threats and attacks towards schools in America, it is understandable that actions needs to be taken. It is reasonable to want to improve security in schools, but some schools districts, including one in New York has it all wrong. They have begun deploying cameras and facial recognition systems around campus to monitor students and their activities. They do this in the name of safety, but are really violating the privacy of the students. Making this more troubling is the inability to opt out. The systems are already installed and the students or their parents are not provided with a choice. This is only scratching the surface unfortunately, districts have also been installing microphones around schools with audio recognition algorithms. Another major invasion of privacy that isn’t even that effective. These systems often mistake coughs or high-pitched voices for aggressive behaviors. Schools are going to such great lengths to surveil and monitor their students, but fail to realize that is not a viable a solution. It only creates a feeling of authoritarianism and distrust between their student and the school. I would be scared to go to school knowing my face is being monitored, my voice is being monitored, and much more. Even social media and networking monitoring solutions are being used to further invade the privacy of students. These online solutions even break past the confines of the campus and can monitor the activities of students while off campus or at home. This is far beyond acceptable and needs to stop. This authoritarian surveillance is not the right way to keep schools safe.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/02/schools-are-pushing-boundaries-surveillance-technologies
LIS 4022 Spring 2020 