The Matrix

The FTC issued a policy statement yesterday notifying education technology companies that the agency is committed to ensuring that ed tech tools comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”).  COPPA requires that websites or services covered under COPPA obtain a parent’s – or in some cases, a school’s – consent before collecting personal information from children under 13.  COPPA also limits how long companies may keep children’s personal information and requires that companies properly safeguard information.  The policy statement signals that the FTC will be scrutinizing COPPA compliance by providers of ed tech and other covered online services. 

As schools increasingly are adjusting to remote learning and utilizing education technology (“ed tech”) services, both schools and their ed tech service providers need to consider the appropriate collection and usage of student personal information.  Here are some tips for protecting students’ privacy and safeguarding personal data: