Loo cam school ‘refused to listen’

TEACHERS ignored complaints over surveillance cameras in toilets, an Atherton student claims.

The student – who is unnamed to protect her identity – said that she raised the matter with teachers because she felt uncomfortable using the bathrooms at Jubilee Christian College.

“I tried speaking to other teachers but they pretended not to hear me,” the student said. “My own teacher didn’t know the camera was in there and she has been there for a few years now.”

She said other students refused to use the bathroom.

“I spoke to a few other students in the past – they didn’t go in because of the camera,” she said.

“You can see the camera from the first three stalls in the bathroom.”

The Jubilee Christian College board of directors said the cameras were installed in areas around the school, including amenities blocks, “to assist student safety”.

Board member Floyd Risser said the cameras in the bathrooms were aimed at basins and walkways only and could not film activity in the cubicles, nor record sound.

Concerns about the collection of any personal information can be forwarded to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au .

“The Australian Privacy Principles state that organisations may only collect personal information where it is reasonably necessary, and must take reasonable steps to notify individuals of this collection,” an OAIC spokeswoman said.

A Queensland Law Reform Commission on civil surveillance will report to government next July.