Thread by @EFF

Getting an education shouldn't cost students their right to privacy.

Thanks to @SenatorDurbin, @SenMarkey, and @SenBlumenthal for questioning Google about its “ed tech” (educational technology) products—and how they collect and use data on students. 1/

durbin.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/…

In 2017, we shined a light on the lack of transparency and choice around ed tech in schools. The legislation to protect student privacy isn't keeping up with a rapidly growing industry and the limitations schools face when they try to protect students. 2/ eff.org/wp/school-issu…

Our report showed that technology providers are spying on students—and school districts are unwittingly helping them do it, frequently without the awareness or consent of students and their families. 3/ eff.org/wp/school-issu…

EFF has been trying to get the FTC to focus on the privacy risks of ed tech for over 3 years.

We filed a complaint against Google and its ed tech products in 2015, calling for an end to its use of students' personal information for its own purposes 4/ eff.org/press/releases…

The @FTC and @usedgov finally held an ed tech and privacy workshop in Dec 2017, but we’ve yet to see a final report. We’ve long been concerned about how technology impacts student privacy.

We're glad the Senators are taking it seriously. 5/ eff.org/deeplinks/2018…