A youth charity trust is under police investigation for a potential data breach, sparking a controversial debate. But what's the full story?
Bangerz Education and Wellbeing Trust, a charitable organization, has been accused of attempting to access the computer network of Kelston Boys High School illegally. This comes after the trust's ambitious but failed attempt to convert the Auckland state school into a charter school, which garnered significant public backlash.
Here's where it gets intriguing: former and current staff members of the school allege that a young member of the trust, aged 20, used a student's login to access the student portal, with the apparent goal of obtaining the school roll and student contact information. This incident has led to a formal police complaint, confirmed by Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting.
In the weeks preceding the discovery, individuals linked to Bangerz repeatedly requested access to the school's electoral roll. The trust's chairperson, James Cherrington-Thomas, even wrote to the school, citing legal rights to inspect the roll before board elections. However, the law only permits viewing names, not contact details.
And this is where it gets controversial. An email sent to an MP's office on July 31st, allegedly from the trust, challenged the school's restrictions on accessing the roll. The email's authorship is unclear, as it bears different names, including those of former Kelston students. The email address, however, is linked to a tutor at Bangerz, Rhys Cullen, who has a criminal history, including a conviction for receiving stolen cars.
The school permitted the trust to view the roll but only to check names. Despite this, Bangerz sent an email to the Education Minister, signed by a 20-year-old former student connected to the trust, expressing frustration over not being able to personalize their election campaign. They threatened to deliver pamphlets to all houses in the zone, which could negatively impact the school's reputation.
In September, a Bangerz-affiliated candidate, Sione Lisala, was elected to the school board. A month later, the trust announced its plan to take over the school, which was later abandoned due to public opposition.
Bangerz Trust denies any knowledge of the police complaint and the alleged data breach attempt. Meanwhile, the school has declined to comment.
This story raises questions about the boundaries of trust and the potential risks when charitable organizations venture into the education sector. What do you think? Is this a case of a well-intentioned trust overstepping boundaries, or something more sinister? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
