I’m just explaining the software’s capabilities. It doesn’t turn itself on - somebody has to do it. I’ve seen some of the articles describing it as if it’s malware. All client management software has extensive capabilities to over-ride local admin rights. There is nothing nefarious about that. The primary issue in this case is whether there was a report of a stolen or missing laptop. The software didn’t commit any offenses. (Full disclosure: I’ve done some consulting work in the past with the software’s developers.)
Which is the crux of the matter. The responsibility rests on THAT person, no one else.
And even IF it turns out that the laptop was really reported missing or stolen, (and it would be interesting to find out by whom, because it apparently wasn't the boy to whom it was assigned), the school officials were still out of line in confronting the kid about what he was doing in his own room using information they essentially admitted was improperly gained.
If they activated the webcam in response to a report like that, then all they could legally do is use only the information involved in recovering the laptop. Anything else they found by that webcam would be off limits to them as it was not legally obtained. It would be thrown out in a court of law.
Why the school thinks that it's above the law in that respect is beyond me, but that appears to be pretty typical educrat mentality.