Sneaky Surveillance: Caught on Camera at Bremen's Educational Institution
Secretive school under surveillance in Bremen by unapproved camera equipment - Secret Monitoring Activities Uncovered at Bremer Primary School
Hey there, buddy!
A questionable video surveillance incident has caused quite a stir at a school in Bremen. The state data protection officer is currently assessing camera installations at all Bremen schools. It appears that, so far, no other clandestine camera setups have been found, as reported by Timo Utermark, the data protection officer, to the German Press Agency (dpa). But the evaluation hasn't ended just yet. As of now, there are 18 school sites with security cameras within the city of Bremen, according to the education authority.
Watch 'Em While They Sneak!
The "Weser-Kurier" broke the news on the covert use of a camera system at an elementary school that had gone on for years. Parents were left bewildered by the surreptitious video surveillance, which was not indicated by any warning signs or information. One concerned father approached the school administration, school board, and state data protection authority in 2021. After an investigation, it was found that the utilization of the cameras was illegal.
According to the state data protection officer, the criteria for video surveillance, even as a means to combat vandalism, were not met. Additionally, the school failed to provide notice about the cameras. Furthermore, there were no measures to secure the footage from unauthorized access.
Apparently, the school's main entrance, playground entrance, and back entrance were all under watchful eyes via cameras. The devices were active during school hours, with only live transmissions taking place. Recordings were made between 4:00 PM and 7:00 AM the next day. According to Utermark, recordings were saved to prevent vandalism and were later erased after 72 hours. The school management and the janitor's office were granted access to these camera images after Utermark intervened, resulting in the switch-off and removal of the devices.
The Birth of the System (1999)
The spokesperson for the education authority explained that the system had been installed way back in 1999 at the request of the former school management or janitor during a renovation without coordinating with their office. The data storage units were later handed over to the authority for data protection-compliant disposal.
Schools have stringent requirements when it comes to video surveillance. Video cameras can only be used under certain circumstances to deter or investigate criminal activities and vandalism. A clear purpose must be defined, and there must be a specific reason, such as damage or break-ins. Typically, surveillance is only authorized outside of school hours.
1. Despite the 1999 installation, it's concerning that the school's community policy failed to adhere to the requirements of vocational training, education-and-self-development, general-news, and crime-and-justice sectors, as the unlawful video surveillance remained undetected for years.
2. Moving forward, it's crucial for schools to prioritize compliance with vocational training, especially in matters of education-and-self-development, general-news, and crime-and-justice, to avoid such incidents in the future and ensure a safe and secure learning environment for students.
