Sen. Franken asks Google to address concerns about Chromebooks, Google Apps collecting student data

[onehandle]

Source: AI

The letter addresses concerns that Google may be collecting data about students for non-educational purposes without gaining consent from parents. The company has been asked to respond by Feb. 12.

Franken is the chief Democrat in the U.S. Senate's Privacy, Technology and the Law Subcommittee, and regularly sends such letters to tech companies whenver a serious legal issue comes in front of the public eye.

In this case, the Electronic Frontier Foundation recently filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, accusing Google of violating its commitment to the Student Privacy Pledge, which asks that companies not collect, use, or share student data except when it's needed for educational purposes, or if parents consent.


Read more: http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/01/14/sen-franken-asks-google-to-address-concerns-about-chromebooks-google-apps-collecting-student-data

[napi21]

1. What kind of info are they sharing? What students are they?

If it's college students, they don't NEED parental approval. College students are 18 and are adults. Is it High School students? That is a different story. I suspect it's college students and they should be educated about whast info to give out and what never to divulge.

[Tarc]

2. This is not a college issue

Many, many K12 schools are investing in Chromebooks as they are around half the cost of a laptop.

[napi21]

3. What info is being shared? nt

[onehandle]

4. And 1/10th the functionality. It's a glorified web browser.

Loaded with Google spyware.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

5. They are not my favorite device,

but our teachers in 4th and above prefer them to laptops and iPads for students.
3rd and lower iPads rule.