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this post was submitted on 10 Aug 2025
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Technology
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I feel like surveilling a bathroom used by minors goes beyond the pale though. If the technology exists, it will be abused.
How do you think this technology would be abused?
If the device included full audio and video surveillance - I'd totally agree. However, the device does not include video (and it would be a real hard sell to include that).
If all parties are aware that monitoring will occur (maybe include a sign in the door), I'd argue that minors are aware of what this means.
Perhaps, it would mean that students "finish up" faster, rather than loitering and vaping (or bullying, etc)... and if that's the case, I guess the device has fulfilled it's purpose.
The article did mention how a hacked device could be used to "play sounds" or trigger false calls for "help", or gunshots. But I'd argue this would be the modern day equivalent of falsely pulling the fire alarm.
Schools around the country will disable the keyword functionality very soon. It’s useless in such an environment. Kids can and will say “help 911” every time they leave the bathroom simply “for the lulz”. And there’s no video so they can’t be caught doing it unless you station someone right outside to catch them, rendering the feature useless. Malicious actors are the most difficult design requirement for any system.
You talk like those fire alarm levers don’t exist.
That’s a very binary mechanism with little excuse for pulling. And there are typically cameras nowadays. No cameras in the bathroom.
What, exactly, would be the alternative for a minor in school? Piss themselves back in class instead?
There's a way to detect when students yell "help" or "call 911" from the bathroom that doesn't require any technology.
You have a staff member within earshot of the bathroom.
https://lemmy.cafe/comment/12913573