Europe's youngest app developer kicked out of school for hacking its computer network

A 14-year-old boy who last year was heralded as Europe’s youngest smartphone app developer has been booted out of his school for hacking into its computer system.

Aaron Bond is reported to have gained access to confidential information about pupils and members of staff, which included financial information belonging to the school’s vice principal. He also edited the school’s IT room booking system and made changes to the school’s newsletter.

In what will seem like an overreaction to some observers, police reportedly took DNA samples and fingerprints from Aaron, before issuing him a formal reprimand.

Officials at the school, located in Devon in south-west England, decided to expel Aaron for his actions.

“We excluded him in accordance with the serious nature of the offence,” principal Kate Mason said.

Speaking about the incident and his subsequent expulsion, Aaron said, “I am very sorry and if I had known the consequences I never would have done it.”

Aaron’s mother was upset with the punishment and was also puzzled as to why the school’s computer security was so lax. “The security of the school computer system should be a lot better,” she said. “A 14-year-old should not be able to hack in. I don’t see why they can’t give him a second chance.”

What she may be forgetting is that the school’s computer system probably wasn’t that easy to break into and that her son is a bit of a whiz with computers.

Aaron first came to public attention last year when he designed a smartphone game, Spud Run, for a friend. He learned about the technical side of app development by watching tutorials online. According to the Mail, he set up a company designing websites when he was just six years of age.

He is reportedly already looking at early entry into university where he’ll be able to further develop his computer skills.

To many, his expulsion will seem like something of an overreaction. The young lad obviously has an incredible aptitude for computing so one has to wonder why the school didn’t simply give him a warning — before asking him to sort out its computer security system.

[via Telegraph] [Image: Dmitriy Shironosov / Shutterstock]

This article was originally posted on Digital Trends

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