Unauthorized Surveillance of a Northern Primary School Through Use of Cameras Spanning Over a Decade
School Surveillance Scandal Unveiled
A shocking revelation has surfaced in Bremen, Germany, as the state data protection officer reviews all camera installations at city schools, following an illegal video surveillance incident at a primary school. So far, no additional illegal surveillance has been identified, says the data protection officer, Timo Utermark, but the investigation is ongoing. As per the latest query, there are 18 school sites with video cameras in Bremen.
Video Surveillance During School Hours
The "Weser-Kurier" exposed the years-long unauthorized use of a camera system at the Delfter Straße primary school. Parents were taken aback by the surveillance, with no signs or information about it. A concerned father brought the matter to the attention of school management, the school authority, and the state data protection authority this year. Upon investigation, it was determined that the camera use was indeed unauthorized.
According to Utermark, the school failed to meet the conditions for video surveillance, even as a measure against vandalism. The school also neglected to provide sufficient information about the cameras. Moreover, there were no security measures or rules to protect the recordings from unauthorized access.
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The main entrance, break area entrance, and back entrance of the school were under camera surveillance, with the devices active during school hours. Live transmissions took place, and recordings were made from 4 pm to 7 am the next day. "To prevent vandalism, the recordings were stored and overwritten after 72 hours," Utermark said. The school management and the caretaker's office had access to the camera system images. Upon Utermark’s intervention, the devices were switched off and removed.
Delfter Straße School Setup
The education authority spokesperson revealed that the system was installed more than 25 years ago during a renovation at the school, with the initiative possibly coming from the then-school management or caretaker. It wasn’t coordinated with the authority to ensure data protection compliance.
For school video surveillance, there are strict regulations according to the Ministry of Education in Bremen. Cameras can be used under certain conditions to prevent or solve crimes and vandalism. However, specific regulations regarding video surveillance during school hours in Bremen are yet to be found in our search results. It is advisable to consult local education authorities or relevant legal documents specific to the region for more details. (dpa/mp)
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In the absence of specific regulations regarding video surveillance in Bremen schools during school hours, it is crucial to adhere to general privacy rights as outlined in the German Civil Code and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For further details on video surveillance regulations in Bremen specifically, consult local education authorities or relevant legal documents.
[1] Civil Code of Germany: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_bgb/[2] Bremen Bans Mobile Phones in Primary and Middle Schools: https://www.bremen.de/news-presse/neuheiten/bremen-st rentet-schilder-aus-wenn-pupillen-zelle-innen-uber-haupt-gepostet-haben
- Despite the absence of specific regulations regarding video surveillance during school hours in Bremen, it's essential to abide by general privacy rights as outlined in the German Civil Code and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
- The ongoing investigation into the illegal video surveillance at Delfter Straße primary school highlights the need for strict adherence to education-and-self-development and general-news regarding technology, especially with respect to school video surveillance systems.
