It’s hard to remember the world before Google. It’s how we find anything and everything online, not to mention how we keep track of important appointments and assignments, chat with friends and colleagues, and collaborate on projects. Companies and schools alike are not just powered by Google, but are completely entrusting in the company’s software.But just how safe is your Google-driven and stored information?
Google has recently been under the microscope for privacy violations of both adult and minor information. The company faced charges of scanning emails in order to deliver ads that matched keywords. Media sources reported that users brought at least six separate lawsuits against Google that were later consolidated into one suit.
Google argued against the claims saying users agreed to their terms of service, which stated how content would be used. However, the courts disagreed, dismissing Google’s arguments, stating that the user privacy agreement was not clear.
The recent settlement applies to all cases except one brought on behalf of a minor.
The settlement does not impact how Google generates its revenue, though. Not including Google’s Apps for Education suite, e-mails, calendars, Google docs, and the like will continue to be scanned for keyword content in order to deliver ads to advertisers’ unique target audiences. What the settlement does impact is Google’s terms of service agreement, which has been revised to clearly communicate with users how their information will be shared.
Google is not alone in its business model. Many software companies support free resources such as e-mail and chat with strings attached. However, Google has a reputation in the education realm because of its wide berth of classroom apps that schools rely upon. This dependency has empowered data mining for profit—and the education industry is reported to be the fastest growing and most profitable.
A report by McKinsey & Co, in 2013 found that expanding the use of data in K-12 schools and colleges could drive $300 billion a year in added economic growth in the U.S.
Google alone reported that 91% of its $55.5 billion profit in 2013 came from advertising—a significant percent of which is likely to be derived from the 30 million students who are numbered among Google’s 425 million users worldwide. The good news for those who are concerned about student privacy is that Google has recently announced it will stop scanning student e-mails and disable advertisements in the Apps for Education suite.
As mentioned, Google is not alone in its business model. An article published by Politico identifies other companies that sell student information, including eScholarm Interactive health Technologies, Khan Academy, Knewton, LearnBoostm LearnSprout, Moodie, and Panorama Education.
The government has started to pay more attention to data mining and targeted advertising as a result of data collection—especially from students. The Obama administration has recently released a report raising concern about the dangers of discrimination from data mining, such as limiting credit, housing, education, and employment opportunities for students once they reach adulthood.
How can you protect your students from data mining? And, is this even something of concern? Advertising doesn’t hurt anyone, right?
Parents care about online security as much as they care about their child’s safety while they’re in class. Although advertising doesn’t pose any threats to their child’s immediate safety, data mining for student health records and personal information does present issues. No one wants his or her medical records sold or scanned so they can be offered the latest Accident Coverage.
Protecting against data mining isn’t as simple as clicking a privacy update button, though. Federal and State laws are in desperate need of updating as the recent Google settlement revealed. And technology for most schools isn’t a luxury—it’s how we learn, work, and push forward.
If your school relies on online software, it’s a good idea to read through the fine print of your agreements this summer. You should be aware of how your information is being stored and used, and if any sensitive documents are at risk of exposure. If you’re uncomfortable with some of your chosen programs, start shopping before next year’s classes kick into high gear. And, it’s always good policy to have your school’s lawyers review your contracts—they are trained to decode the fine print.
Because you never know when you might need it, ISM offers Internet Activity Coverage that can be added onto your school's D&O including EPLI coverage.
Additional ISM articles of interest
Private School News Vol. 12 No. 6 One-to-One Risks in 21st Century Learning
Private School News Vol. 12 No. 3 Using Social Sites to Plan and Track Spring Sports: Security Risks You Need to Know
Additional ISM articles of interest for Gold Consortium members
I&P Vol. 27 No. 16 Keep Ergonomics in Mind When Integrating Classroom Technology
