The internet has forever changed the way students learn. With this evolution, concerns about student data privacy are increasingly coming to the fore. A recent article by The Chronicle sheds light on this issue, bringing forth serious questions about the security and ethics of student data collection by courseware providers.

In today's world, student data can be easily breached or misused. Protect your personal information. Student defense lawyers from the Lento Law Firm can help defend your rights and make sure colleges keep your data safe. Call 888-535-3686 or fill out a contact form today.

Student Data at Risk

The article recounts the experience of Carson Blaisdell, a student at Bowling Green State University, who was required to answer deeply personal questions as part of a general education health and fitness course. This wasn't a voluntary health survey; this was a mandatory assignment. The intimate nature of the questions and the absence of assurances about how the information would be safeguarded is unsettling.

Every year, millions of students use courseware products, such as Connect, Pearson MyLab, and Cengage MindTap. These platforms provide students with essential course resources. However, as their popularity grows, it's apparent that the safeguards meant to protect student data are deficient. The situation is even murkier when considering the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law meant to protect student data. The registration process for many courseware products sits in a gray area of this law. Privacy notices from these publishers are often laden with jargon and ambiguity, making them difficult for students to understand.

Questionable Data-Sharing Practices

The issue becomes even more concerning when we delve into the practices of some courseware platforms. The Chronicle's analysis found evidence of data-sharing practices that were questionable at best, potentially violating the assurances given in publishers' privacy notices. For instance, Pearson MyLab was found to send personal information, like student names and emails, to Google Analytics.

While many might argue that data collection is a part and parcel of today's internet age, there is a distinct difference between voluntary interaction online and mandatory academic assignments. As Dorothea Salo of the University of Wisconsin highlights in the article, individuals behave differently when they know they are being watched. College is meant to be a time of exploration and open-mindedness. Instead, students now feel as though Big Brother is always watching.

The Threat of Data Breaches

Data breaches are another factor in the equation. Companies like McGraw Hill have already faced them. When such breaches occur, students' private data can be exposed, causing untold damage.

Colleges have a responsibility to protect their students, both physically and digitally. When students interact with courseware platforms on electronic devices, they trust that their information will be handled with care. However, as the article highlights, colleges are often notably absent when students agree to terms with these publishers.

Protect Your Rights: Your College Data Privacy Matters

It's incredibly important that colleges be proactive in safeguarding student privacy. Institutions must establish clearer guidelines for courseware use, ensure that third-party agreements prioritize student privacy, and, most importantly, educate students about the potential risks and rights they have concerning their data.

In an era where data breaches and unauthorized sharing are becoming common, every student's privacy is at risk. Don't let your personal information fall into the wrong hands or be used against you. The student defense lawyers at the Lento Law Firm can help safeguard your rights, ensure institutions uphold their data protection responsibilities, and advocate for you in instances of privacy violations. Call our Education Law Team at 888-535-3686 or fill out a contact form, and we'll be in touch directly.