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.
Transparency About What Data is Used is Key for Parents and Students
Last week, the New York Times hosted a Room for Debate on Protecting Student Privacy in On-Line Learning. The question: “Is the collection of data from schools an invasion of students’ privacy?” Jules’ weighed in, making the key point that schools must continuously and effectively communicate with parents on what technology is being used, what […]
FERPA | SHERPA: Providing a Guide to Education Privacy Issues
Education is changing. New technologies are allowing information to flow within classrooms, school, and beyond, enabling new learning environments and new tools to understanding and improve the way teachers teach and students learn. At the same time, however, the confluence of enhanced data collection with highly sensitive information children and teens also makes for a […]
Synopsis: Education Privacy Hearing—How Data Mining Threatens Student Privacy
Yesterday, the House of Representatives Education Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education and the Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies held a joint hearing to discuss “How Data Mining Threatens Student Privacy.” Four witnesses presented testimony from a number of perspectives: (1) Joel R. Reidenberg, Chair and Professor of […]
FPF Statement on Today's Joint Subcommittee Hearing on Education Privacy
One of the most important sections of the Administration’s recent report on Big Data concerns was focused on education technology and privacy. The report noted the need to ensure that innovations in educational technology, including new approaches and business models, have ample opportunity to flourish. Many of these benefits include robust tools to improve teaching […]
Aspen Institute Task Force Releases “Learner at the Center of a Networked World”
The Aspen Institute launched a Task Force on Learning and the Internet to better understand how young people are learning today, and to address how to optimize that learning through innovation. With the support of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Aspen Institute gathered a group of 20 respected minds in the […]
FPF Statement on White House Big Data Report
Today, the White House released its report on big data and the future of privacy. The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF), a DC-based think tank advocating responsible privacy and data practices, has closely followed the work of the Review Group. “Today’s White House report on Big Data carefully identifies most of the key issues in this […]
FPF In the News: a Big Week for Panels and Privacy
The first week of March brought with it a number of great privacy-related events, some run by the IAPP and some hosted by others (including FPF itself!). Below are links to the many events FPF participated in. Privacy Papers for Policy Makers Launch Event In conjunction with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, FPF presented our fourth […]
Privacy Ins and Outs for 2014
Happy New Year! Happy New Year from the Future of Privacy Forum! Here is our 2014 List of Ins and Outs for your enjoyment. On behalf of the entire team at FPF we wish you a fulfilling New Year. Chris and Jules 1. Privacy Notices for Websites 1. Privacy Notices for Sensors 2. Smith v. Maryland 2. Fourth Amendment […]
Study Suggests Broad-Based Consumer Concerns about Privacy
An October study published by McGraw Hill Financial Global Institute cautions that consumers believe they are losing control of their online privacy. The report from authors at J.D. Power suggests that a majority of consumers feel they have lost control over how their personal information is collected and used, suggesting a lack of consumer trust […]
Terrell McSweeny Touches on Privacy Issues During Confirmation Hearing
During her confirmation hearing today, Terrell McSweeny briefly touched upon privacy issues. With her children in the background, she noted that she is particularly cognizant of the need to protect children’s privacy. Noting that her small children were already both “iPad and app proficient,” she recognized that mobile technology–and the ways that children are using this […]