On May 19, 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a public meeting and approved a policy statement prioritizing enforcement of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) as it relates to edtech. Read the commission’s full policy statement hereand the analysis of FPF below.
FPF welcomes the Commission’s prioritization of COPPA enforcement related to educational technology. The use of edtech has skyrocketed during the pandemic and appears to be here to stay. Technology can help schools reduce health risks, provide an accessible learning environment for all students, and provide students with access to important online services, but parents and guardians can You need to trust both the industries you serve. Meaningful privacy protection is a key element in building trust.
Apps and ed-tech programs that serve schools should not profit from behavioral advertising or the sale of student data. This is a clear violation of FERPA for schools and COPPA for private businesses. and that is a clear violation Student Privacy Pledgea voluntary but legally binding industry commitment (enforceable by the FTC and state attorneys general) to protect student privacy with respect to the collection, maintenance, and use of student personal information. The pledge, co-founded by FPF and the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA), 250 signatories today. Read more about how the Pledge enhances student privacy here.
The Commission’s policy statement specifically affects student monitoring software. FPF has long shared concerns about the privacy and equity implications and unintended consequences of student surveillance. September 2021 Report, Privacy and fairness implications of using self-harm monitoring technologycontains both legal considerations and recommendations for school districts considering implementing this technology, as well as a list of questions to ask vendors. Attached infographic, Understand student monitoringprovides an overview of why schools monitor student activity online, what types of activity may be monitored, and how student data is processed and used.
FPF is a committee effort to commit enforcement resources to ensure that no company misuses student data and that parents, schools, and students have access to the tools they need to learn without sacrificing privacy. Welcome.
For more information on the Student Privacy Pledge and how edtech companies can sign up, please visit click here.
To access all of FPF’s child and student privacy resources, please visit monitoring report and infographicvisit Student Privacy Compassour one-stop-shop resource site for all things related to student privacy.