"Surveillance Tech in Schools: Cracking Down on Student Vaping with Harsh Punishments"

Schools across the US are using surveillance technology, including vape sensors, to crack down on student vaping, often without informing students. A student caught vaping faced harsh punishments, including being sent to an alternative school for 30 days and being told she could have faced criminal charges. The sensors, which can cost over $1,000 each, have been marketed as tools to fight the virus by checking air quality. Some students have faced misdemeanor or felony charges, and the use of such technology has raised privacy concerns. Despite efforts to curb vaping, students have found ways to outsmart the sensors, and some schools are implementing prevention strategies that include educational videos and tip lines.