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.
Student Privacy, Special Education, and Online Learning: Navigating COVID-19 and Beyond
COVID-19 continues to disrupt education…And virtual learning poses unique student privacy challenges, particularly for students with disabilities
Future of Privacy Forum, National Center on Learning Disabilities Release New Student Privacy and Virtual Learning Guide
The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) and the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) today released a new resource designed to help educators navigate the unique student privacy challenges raised by COVID-19 and the shift to virtual learning, particularly for students with disabilities. Student Privacy and Special Education: An Educator’s Guide During and After COVID-19 […]
The European Commission Considers Amending the General Data Protection Regulation to Make Digital Age of Consent Consistent
The European Commission published a Communication on its mandated two-year evaluation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on June 24, 2020 in which it discusses as a future policy development “the possible harmonisation of the age of children consent in relation to information society services.” Notably, harmonizing the age of consent for children across […]
FPF Welcomes New Members to the Youth & Education Privacy Project
We are thrilled to announce two new members of FPF’s Youth & Education Privacy team. The new staff – Juliana Cotto and Dr. Carrie Klein – will help expand FPF’s technical assistance and training, resource creation and distribution, and state and federal legislative tracking. You can read more about Juliana and Carrie below. Please join […]
Associated Press: Schools debate whether to detail positive tests for athletes
In a recent article published by the Associated Press in The Washington Post and The New York Times, the Future of Privacy Forum warns of the privacy risks of sharing information about positive COVID-19 tests among students, particularly student athletes who have already returned to campus to prepare for the upcoming sports season. Read an excerpt […]
Polonetsky: Are the Online Programs Your Child’s School Uses Protecting Student Privacy? Some Things to Look For
Op-ed by Future of Privacy Forum CEO Jules Polonetsky published in The74. As CEO of a global data protection nonprofit, I spend my workdays focused on helping policymakers and companies navigate new technologies and digital security concerns that have emerged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, my children have adopted many of these […]
FPF Releases New Report on GDPR Guidance for US Higher Education Institutions
Today, FPF released The General Data Protection Regulation: Analysis and Guidance for US Higher Education Institutions by Senior Counsel Dr. Gabriela Zanfir-Fortuna. The new report contains analysis and guidance to assist United States-based higher education institutions and their edtech service providers in assessing their compliance with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
ICYMI: FPF Experts Raise Concerns about Protecting Student Privacy During Rapid Switch to Online Learning
Experts from the Future of Privacy Forum, the nation’s leading think tank focused on advancing responsible consumer privacy practices, have spoken out in numerous articles and publications to raise awareness about privacy concerns stemming from the rapid adoption of general-use technologies to support online learning at K-12 and higher education institutions nationwide. As FPF’s Director […]
FPF and AASA Release Student Privacy Guidance to Help Schools Manage COVID-19 Response
Today, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) and AASA, The School Superintendents Association, released a new white paper that offers guidance to help K-12 and higher education administrators and educators protect student privacy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
New “Privacy 101” Video Series Helps School District Leaders Protect Student Data
New FPF video series provides best practices and tips on how schools can protect student privacy