On Thursday, September 13th, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center issued an important public service announcement (PSA) titled Education Technologies: Data Collection and Unsecured Systems Could Pose Risks to Students.

The PSA warned school districts and parents that sensitive student data collected via the rapid adoption of educational technology in U.S. schools  can threaten children’s privacy and security. The announcement also included recommendations to parents, including:

• • Research existing student and child privacy protections of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and state laws as they apply to ed-tech services.

  • Discuss with their local districts about what and how educational technologies and programs are used in their schools.

  • Conduct research on parent coalition and information-sharing organizations which are available online for those looking for support and additional resources. [emphasis added]

Rachael Stickland, co-chair of the Parent Coalition for Student Privacy co-chair, told EdWeek, “We’re thrilled the FBI is clearly articulating the many risks association with ed-tech use in schools, and we’re especially excited to see a recommendation encouraging the public to reach out to parent organizations for information and support.”

You can read more at:

FBI Raises Alarm on Ed Tech and Student Data Privacy and Security, Ed Week, by Benjamin Herold, September 13, 2018

FBI Memo: Ed Tech Data Collection Poses Risk to Student Privacy, Security, The 74, by Mark Keierleber, September 13, 2018