Melbourne University under investigation by Victorian Information Commissioner over surveillance of pro-Palestine students
The University of Melbourne will be subject to an investigation by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner over its use of surveillance technology to prosecute pro-Palestine students involved in the 10-day occupation.
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The University of Melbourne will be subject to an investigation by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner over its use of surveillance technology, including wi-fi location data, to prosecute pro-Palestine students involved in the 10-day occupation of a campus building.
Last month, 21 students fronted misconduct hearings before senior university representatives over their takeover of the Parkville campus’ Arts West Building.
The university called on the student activists to face disciplinary proceedings in an email that also included evidence in the form of CCTV footage and Wi-Fi data obtained from the university’s network.
OVIC commissioner Sean Morrison confirmed in a statement to The Australian that the matter had been escalated and referred to Privacy and Data Protection deputy commissioner Rachel Dixon.
“Following conducting preliminary inquiries, the Privacy and Data Protection deputy commissioner has decided to commence an investigation under the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014,“ Mr Morrison said.
“Given this is an active matter OVIC is unable to comment further until the investigation has concluded.”
A university spokesman said the institution would co-operate fully with the investigation.
“OVIC has confirmed it is investigating the university’s use of Wi-Fi location data in the context of the occupation of a university building,” the spokesman said.
However, Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism co-director Efrat Eilam has questioned what the point of cameras was if not to record evidence for staff and students’ safety.
“These cameras and this equipment is meant to maintain the safety on the campus. If we were dealing with harassment of females, no one would question whether you’d need to use these cameras to identify these instances of harassment,” Associate Professor Eilam told The Australian.
“No one would accept a situation of women feeling unsafe. However, when it comes to Jews, Jewish students and academics, the situation is completely different,” she said.
Victorian opposition tertiary education spokeswoman Bridget Vallence said it was not uncommon for public institutions and businesses to use security cameras to protect staff and property.
“In circumstances where the university was unable to operate during the illegal trespass by the protesters, preventing students and staff from freely accessing facilities, I think it is reasonable for the university to use its security resources to identify who was responsible for the trespass,” Ms Vallence said.
“CCTV footage is used at public events, such as the MCG, where people engage in anti-social behaviour, or at parliament, and the university appears to have been doing the same in relation to the illegal trespass activity.”
OVIC is responsible for overseeing compliance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act, which is designed to ensure the responsible handling of personal information in the Victorian public sector.
Universities, along with Victorian government departments, ministers, local councils, statutory offices and government schools, must abide by the act.
Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said the use of surveillance technology against students was a “shocking betrayal of trust”.
“We cannot allow our universities, which should be bastions of free thought, inquiry and expression, to become surveillance panopticons,” Mr Mashni said.
“Given the increase in anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim racism across university campuses and the broader community, Melbourne University’s weaponisation of surveillance technology against young people who are already bearing the brunt of this racism is particularly alarming.
“This investigation must serve as an urgent wake-up call for all universities and institutions to prioritise freedom of expression, the right to protest, and the privacy and safety of their students and users.”
The students involved in the protest avoided expulsion and suspension and were instead slapped with warnings.
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