Exclusive: Uni Melb students speak out on their surveillance

The world watched as earlier this year footage of students across the world mobilised to protest against Israel’s ongoing killing of defenceless Palestinian citizens, particularly children.

Longstanding encampments were established at university campuses across America and here in Australia, popping up across Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Students at Melbourne University staged a sit-in and encampment in a campus building, refusing to leave until university leadership agreed it would disclose any links to weapons manufacturers who may be providing weapons being used by the Israeli Defence Force.

Since the sit-in's end, students who participated have reported being asked to attend disciplinary hearings for their conduct during the protests, with WiFi data and CCTV footage of them on campus being used as evidence of their participation.

Kareem Zaghlool is a postgraduate medical student nearing the end of his degree and Zara Chauvin Cunningham is a second-year science student and is also Jewish. In this exclusive episode of The Briefing, Antoinette Lattouf sits down with the two students to find out how they feel about being tracked and spied on, despite the university pledging it wouldn’t use tech to track them.

The Briefing contacted the Victorian Information Commissioner and the University of Melbourne for comment for this story, who provided the following statements:

Sean Morrison, Victorian Information Commissioner:

“The OVIC is making preliminary enquiries with University of Melbourne regarding this matter. This information will assist OVIC in assessing whether or not an investigation proceeds.

It would not be appropriate for OVIC to provide further comment given the preliminary nature of its involvement. OVIC is unlikely to comment on where matters do not proceed from a preliminary inquiry to an investigation.”

A University of Melbourne spokesperson said:

“The University is currently progressing a range of matters in relation to student conduct. We will not be commenting on individual matters, in line with our confidentiality requirements and our commitment to procedural fairness under University policy. The University is in direct communication with individuals as required in relation to these matters.”

Regarding peaceful protests, Professor Nicola Phillips, Provost said:

“Freedom of speech is foundational to our values and policies at the University of Melbourne. We have consistently stated that we recognise the right of students and staff to participate in peaceful protest.”

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