A school installed vape and sound detectors. Ontario says guardrails are needed [Video]

Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the province needs to “create guardrails” around vape detectors in provincial high schools after one school board installed devices that include noise detection.

On Monday, Global News revealed that six public high schools in Brampton and Mississauga have installed devices in student washrooms that are capable of detecting both vapour odour and loud noises, with alerts being sent to the administrator’s office.

The Peel District School Board insists the loud noise detection function “does not record conversations in any way,” but is intended to be an additional security measure for student safety.

“It’s a function that captures and notifies the school administration of loud sounds, which could mean that students are in need of assistance,” it said.

Privacy experts have raised concerns, however, that the audio-capturing capabilities of the devices could breach student privacy in what is otherwise considered a private space.

“The problem with these …