Education is changing. New technologies are allowing information to flow within schools and beyond, enabling new learning environments and providing new tools to improve the way teachers teach and the way students learn. Data-driven innovations are bringing advances in teaching and learning but are accompanied by concerns about how education data, particularly student-generated data, are being collected and used.
The Future of Privacy Forum believes that there are critical improvements to learning that are enabled by data and technology, and that the use of data and technology is not antithetical to protecting student privacy. In order to facilitate this balance, FPF equips and connects advocates, industry, policymakers, and practitioners with substantive practices, policies, and other solutions to address education privacy challenges at both the K-12 and higher ed levels.
For more information and resources, please visit Student Privacy Compass, a one-stop shop for information, news, and analysis on maintaining student data privacy.
Featured
The Top 10: Student Privacy News (Dec 2016-Jan 2017)
The Future of Privacy Forum tracks student privacy news very closely, and shares relevant news stories with our newsletter subscribers.* Today, we are launching “The Top 10,” a monthly blog with our top student privacy stories from the past month (or month-and-a-half, in today’s case).
The Student Privacy Pledge is a Binding Legal Commitment and G Suite for Education Makes the Grade
The Student Privacy Pledge is a public and legally enforceable statement by ed tech companies to safeguard student privacy, built around a dozen commitments regarding the collection, maintenance, and use of student personal information. Since it was introduced in 2014 by the Future of Privacy Forum and the Software and Information Industry Association, more than 300 ed tech companies have become signatories, and it was endorsed by the White House in 2015.
Future of Privacy Forum Comment Regarding Senator Bill Nelson's Report, “Children's Connected Toys: Data Security and Privacy Concerns”
Today, Senator Nelson’s office released a report outlining several privacy and security implications of “connected toys” that the office identified based on conversations with six major toy manufacturers. The report emphasizes the unique sensitivity of children’s personal information; urges toymakers to build privacy and security into their toys from the inception; and suggests that the FTC has authority to monitor and bring enforcement actions under Section 5 and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
New Survey Finds Parents Support School Tech and Data, But Want Privacy Assurances
Washington, DC – Today, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) released a new survey, Beyond One Classroom: Parental Support for Technology and Data Use in Schools. The survey asked parents to comprehensively outline their goals and concerns about the use of technology and student data. Their answers, and the conclusions that can be drawn from them, should inform the debate regarding local, state, and national policies concerning K-12 education and data use.
Parents Support School Tech and Data, But Want Privacy Assurances: FPF 2016 Parent Survey
In 2015, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) set out to gain a better understanding of what public school parents actually know and want concerning the use of technology and collection of data in their children’s schools, as well as their perspectives on the benefits and risks of student data use within the educational system.
Kids & The Connected Home: Privacy in the Age of Connected Dolls, Talking Dinosaurs, and Battling Robots
Today, at the 2016 Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) Annual Conference, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) and FOSI released a white paper, Kids & The Connected Home: Privacy in the Age of Connected Dolls, Talking Dinosaurs, and Battling Robots.
Georgetown – FPF: Valuable Partnership and Talent Channel
Each of the last three years, FPF has taken a top Georgetown student and immersed them in the world of privacy. FPF fellows collaborate with advocates, academics, and companies and handle projects that lead to best practices, white papers, codes of conduct, and the like.
Stacey Gray Featured on KUCI 88.9 FM
Today, Stacey Gray, FPF Policy Counsel, was featured on Privacy Piracy to talk consumer privacy and connected devices. Stacey discussed many topics covered in her report, Always On: Privacy Implications of Microphone-Enabled Devices.
Seven Basic Security Checks for Evaluating Educational Platforms
FPF has produced a checklist to assist parents and schools in considering the “basics” of security standards on new ed tech products and services they may be considering or using. In on-line security, there is unfortunately no “one size fits all” solution, but with so many products and services available, this checklist is designed to provide some initial key triggers of areas that either meet a basic threshold, or might serve as discussion points for further review with the company involved.
FPF Guide to Student Data Protections Under SOPIPA: For K-12 School Administrators and Ed Tech Vendors
We are pleased to announce that we are publishing the FPF Guide to Student Data Protections Under SOPIPA: For K-12 School Administrators and Ed Tech Vendors. Co-written with education privacy experts Linnette Attai of PlayWell LLC, Amelia Vance of the National Association of State Boards of Education, and David B. Rubin, Esq., this document provides a in-depth analysis for ed tech companies.