Schools and tech firms face fresh scrutiny over data, AI and surveillance tools

Schools, employers and technology companies are drawing renewed attention for systems that can capture personal data, from pupils’ images to workers’ activity and people’s movements. The latest coverage, published this month, points to a wider debate over how far such tools should go.

BBC Technology reported that schools have long shared photos of pupils online, raising questions about whether those images could be reused in ways families did not expect. The piece framed the issue as part of a broader conversation about children’s privacy in the digital age.

Other reporting focused on workplace and consumer technology. The Guardian said the American Federation of Teachers has taken funding from big tech to train educators on artificial intelligence, while The Verge described a new Grok Bot service that can act as an always-on AI assistant and log into apps to complete tasks.

Ars Technica also reported on surveillance systems that can connect phone and Bluetooth signals with licence plates, potentially making roadside cameras more powerful tracking tools. Wired, meanwhile, said Silicon Valley companies are developing neurotechnology products that monitor brain activity, extending privacy concerns into thoughts themselves.