SECURITY staff at Edinburgh University have been accused of “intimidating” student protesters by threatening to use WiFi data to identify them…
SECURITY staff at Edinburgh University have been accused of “intimidating” student protesters by threatening to use WiFi data to identify them and “damage their careers”.
Critics said the potential for a university to use eduroam for surveillance has “serious implications” for freedom of speech and assembly. The University and College Union Edinburgh told The Ferret it has “repeatedly raised concerns” with university management about security at campus protests.But Edinburgh University said it fully supports the right to peaceful protest and has “never used WiFi user data to identify anyone involved in demonstrations”.
However, the co-editors of the book responded by saying that the claims of transphobia were libellous, and the university allowed the event to proceed, saying it is committed to free speech, respectful debate and discussion, as well as the right to protest. The Ferret has seen a statement by security stating that “mask-wearing at protests is illegal” and they would “do everything to identify these people”.
The university’s response said: “The University of Edinburgh is a member of the Janet Roaming Service which in turn is a member of the eduroam federation. “I was stunned to learn that eduroam WiFi can be used to identify and locate anyone on university campuses,” they added. Sophia Woodman, co-president of the University and College Union Edinburgh, said that in the last year the union has repeatedly raised concerns with university management about “instances of overreach by campus security” at protests.“Management should make clear that threats to identify protesters via their use of university WiFi are unacceptable, and an infringement on the right to protest,” she added.
A spokesperson for Edinburgh University said: “Our professional security team are fully trained in the management of a range of scenarios, including protests. We have never used WiFi user data to identify anyone involved in demonstrations. We will always support the right to take part in lawful, peaceful and respectful protest.”
The group, which claims to represent 9,000 Jewish students in the UK and Ireland, said that while students have a right to protest, “these encampments create a hostile and toxic atmosphere on campus for Jewish students”. They are demanding that their schools financially divest from Israel. Divestment means to sell off stock in Israeli companies, or to otherwise drop financial ties.
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