Internet WIN: Got My Rights Back At FCPS!

Posted in Internet, Real World

Just under a month ago, there was a huge battle, of sorts, between me and Langley High School administrators on the legality of creating Internet-based proxies, outside of school time, on private servers. I was accused of being a criminal by assisting students in bypassing the school’s block lists and filters, and was punished on multiple levels for what I did: I had my computer access at school removed, threatened suspension if I didn’t bring down all my proxies, and defamed on a school-wide level.

But now, I have won it all back. With the help of masses of the Internet, through press on such websites as Digg.com and Fark.com, my school, Langley High School, has given me back everything they’ve taken away from me. My respect, my privileges in school, and most importantly, my right to create whatever I want on the Internet outside of school, without having to fear the government’s hammer cracking down on me.

As previously stated, I did nothing wrong.  I, personally, did not use my proxies inside the school network, did not create them during school hours, created them on my own privately owned servers, and did not actively promote my service to others in my school.  I was simply accused of doing wrong because other students discovered my proxy, and used it during school hours to access websites such as FaceBook.

With the help of some lawyers, who contacted me after the media caught wind of this abuse of power in FCPS, I managed to work up a case (not on a court level), and successfully settled (in my favor) with the school.  I got my rights back.  And I’m happy now.  Thanks guys and gals, all the support was greatly appreciated (however overwhelming), and it’s thanks to each person that supported the case that brings me to where I am today: free.

Digg: http://digg.com/people/Student_Fights_Back_Against_High_School_s_Web_Restrictions/