Savanna Hoffman
Student data is a lucrative business, with tech companies selling mass data collection tools to universities and colleges. These tools allow educational institutions to track and analyze student movements and interactions on campus and online. While universities claim that they are not tracking students, privacy advocates worry about the imbalance of power and knowledge regarding the extent of data collection. The data collected by universities could be sold to third parties, such as banks, or used to create data profiles of students for marketing purposes. This raises concerns about student privacy and the potential for data breaches, as student records often include sensitive information such as social security numbers and financial details. While there are federal privacy laws in place to protect student data, such as FERPA, these laws may not adequately protect students from data brokers or the sale of their data by universities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student data protection | Strict federal privacy laws protect the private information of students, but only in schools. |
| Student data brokers | There are more than a dozen private brokers in the U.S. that can freely sell student data. |
| Student data sources | The sources of student data are unclear, but schools may be helping data brokers by distributing third-party surveys to students. |
| Student data usage | Data brokers sell student data to commercial interests for marketing and recruitment purposes. |
| Student data and technology | Tech companies sell colleges on mass data collection tools, claiming to improve efficiency and student success. |
| Student data ownership | It is unclear who owns student data—the students who create it or the colleges that collect it. |
| Student data privacy concerns | Privacy advocates worry about the imbalance of power and knowledge regarding student data collection, especially with the rise of Big Data on campuses. |
| Student data and education companies | Education companies like College Board and ACT have been known to sell student data without parent consent. |
| Student data and online privacy | Online tools and apps can collect and sell student data for advertising and marketing purposes. |
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What You'll Learn
Student data privacy and protection
Student data privacy refers to the responsible, ethical, and equitable collection, use, sharing, and protection of student data. This data includes personally identifiable information, such as a student's name, date of birth, Social Security number, and email address. While strict federal privacy laws, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), protect the private information of students in schools, these laws do not adequately protect student data once they enter higher education.
A report by Fordham University found that there are more than a dozen private brokers in the U.S. that can freely sell student data. These brokers advertise and sell lists of students with specific characteristics, such as home-schooled Christians or teenage girls interested in birth control. The authors of the study found no evidence that schools were directly providing or selling data to these brokers. Instead, schools may unwittingly contribute to this practice by distributing third-party surveys to students, which does not violate privacy laws as long as parental permission is obtained.
Tech companies are also selling colleges on the idea of mass data collection, promising improved efficiency, student retention, and recruitment. These technologies can track and analyze student and professor movements on campus and create data profiles of students before they even arrive on campus. While these tools can enhance learning, the increased use of technology has also resulted in a higher number of cyberattacks and privacy breaches.
To protect student data privacy, schools and districts should develop comprehensive plans that include firewalls, content filters, network segmentation, endpoint protection, cloud security, and training for staff and students. Creating a culture of student data privacy is challenging, but it is crucial to take steps towards protecting student information. Districts should identify a primary contact for student data privacy questions and decisions, who can then provide guidance and best practices to teachers.
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Student data and third-party surveys
While strict federal privacy laws protect the private information of students, these laws only apply to schools. There are more than a dozen private brokers in the U.S. that can freely sell student data. These brokers advertise lists of students with specific characteristics, such as home-schooled Christians or teenage girls interested in birth control. The authors of a Fordham University study found no evidence that schools were giving or selling data to these brokers. However, schools may be inadvertently assisting data brokers by distributing third-party surveys to students. This is not a violation of privacy laws as long as schools obtain parental consent to administer the surveys.
Universities may participate in third-party surveys for various reasons, such as assessing institutional effectiveness or conducting comparative assessments. Notable examples of third-party surveys include the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education and the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). Before conducting these surveys, formal agreements are made between the university and the survey vendor, outlining what data will be shared and the nature of the results delivered.
External surveys, which are initiated by entities outside the university, must be approved by the appropriate data trustee and are subject to specific criteria and availability. While these surveys may align with university interests, their primary purpose serves the external entity rather than the university itself.
Universities also face pressure to adopt new technologies that enable mass data collection on students, promising improved efficiency, student retention, and recruitment. While this data can be used to provide valuable insights and support, it raises concerns about student privacy and the potential for data misuse.
Overall, while universities may not directly sell student data, the practice of distributing third-party surveys and adopting new technologies raises important considerations regarding student privacy and data protection.
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Student data and tech companies
Student data is a valuable commodity, and tech companies are keen to tap into this resource. Universities and colleges are under increasing pressure to save money and improve student success, and one way to do this is to sell access to their students to companies. This can take the form of campus debit cards linked to student IDs, with banks offering lucrative contracts to colleges that sign up their students. Tech companies also offer colleges the opportunity to track and analyze student movements and interactions on campus, both physical and virtual, in the name of efficiency.
While strict federal privacy laws, such as FERPA, protect the private information of students in schools, these laws do not always apply to colleges and universities. A report by Fordham University found that there are at least 14 private data brokers in the U.S. that can freely sell student data. These brokers advertise lists of students with specific characteristics, such as religious beliefs or personal interests, and it is unclear how they obtain this information. While schools may not be directly providing this data, they may be inadvertently helping data brokers by distributing third-party surveys to students.
Tech companies are actively encouraging colleges to adopt their data-collecting tools and systems. At a recent trade show, over 275 tech companies exhibited their products, with sales pitches emphasizing the benefits of tracking student data, such as improved degree completion and increased revenue. One company claimed its software had helped a college increase its student numbers by 53%. Another company offered a chatbot for admissions websites that logs interactions with applicants, while another promised a high-tech map of alumni with income levels and donation likelihood.
While some students feel an affinity for their colleges and are happy to provide data, there are concerns about privacy and protection. With technology advancing rapidly, there is a risk that student data will be used for purposes beyond the educational realm, and sold to advertisers and brokers. There is also the risk of data breaches, with colleges and universities being attractive targets for hackers due to the sensitive information they hold, such as social security numbers and financial details.
To address these concerns, there have been calls for colleges to be transparent about the data they collect and how it is used, ensuring it is only utilized to benefit students. Students and parents can also take steps to protect their data, such as opting out of non-essential surveys and being cautious about the personal information shared online.
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Student data and location tracking
Student data tracking is a practice that involves collecting and analyzing information about students' progress, performance, and development. This can include academic performance, attendance, behaviour, and social-emotional aspects of student development. By tracking and analyzing this data, educators can identify patterns, trends, and areas for improvement, ultimately improving their teaching strategies and student outcomes. Additionally, data tracking allows for early identification of struggling students, enabling timely interventions and support.
However, the practice of student data tracking has raised concerns about student privacy and the potential for data misuse. While strict federal privacy laws, such as the Family Educational Rights of Privacy Act, protect student information in schools, these laws may not extend to data collected by technology companies or third-party organizations. For example, companies like Google, Microsoft, and Apple, which provide student devices and accounts, have been criticized for collecting excessive data, including browsing history, location data, and behavioural information, without proper consent from students or their parents.
Universities and colleges are also increasingly turning to tech companies for mass data collection tools. These tools can track student movements on campus, monitor their progress, and even create data profiles of students before they enroll. While proponents argue that these technologies improve efficiency, student retention, and academic success, critics argue that they invade student privacy and may be used for commercial gain.
To address these concerns, some organizations, such as Duke University's Cyber Policy Program, are working on initiatives to protect student data privacy and cybersecurity. Additionally, advocates like Amelia Vance emphasize the importance of schools reviewing their policies and obtaining proper consent before allowing third-party access to student data. These efforts aim to strike a balance between harnessing the benefits of data tracking for education and safeguarding students' personal information.
In conclusion, student data and location tracking have become prevalent in educational institutions, offering benefits such as improved teaching methods and early interventions for struggling students. However, concerns about privacy and data protection have also arisen, leading to discussions about the ethical collection and use of student data. As technology advances and data becomes more valuable, finding a balance between utilizing data for educational improvement and protecting student privacy will be crucial.
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Student data and banks
Student data is a valuable asset that can be used to make colleges operate better and improve their bottom line. Colleges collect vast amounts of data about their students, from cafeteria food preferences to library usage and campus movement. This data is often collected through various digital tools and platforms that students use in their daily campus life. While this data can be used to improve campus services and security, it is not always clear where this data goes and who has access to it.
One way that colleges sell student data to banks is through campus debit cards. These cards are typically linked directly to a student's ID card, and the lucrative contracts between colleges and banks often include incentives for signing up more students. As a result, students become bank customers, and their financial information, including social security numbers and credit card information, may be collected and stored by the college or bank. This makes colleges and universities attractive targets for hackers.
In addition to banks, colleges may also sell or provide access to student data to other third parties, including data storage companies and tech companies. These companies often sell software and tools to colleges that help with mass data collection and analysis, with the promise of improving student retention, recruitment, and success. While this may benefit students in some cases, it also raises concerns about privacy and the potential for data misuse.
Privacy laws, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), are meant to protect student data. However, there are gaps and ambiguities in these laws, and it is often unclear what rights students have to protect their data. For example, FERPA allows schools to disclose student data to certified contractors without prior consent, and metadata created when students log onto the Wi-Fi or enter the library may not be explicitly protected.
To protect their privacy, students can take steps such as opting out of surveys and providing only the minimum amount of personal information necessary. However, with the increasing use of technology and data collection in education, it is challenging to fully protect student data from being sold or accessed by third parties.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear whether universities sell student data directly, but they do share data with third parties, such as tech companies, banks, and testing companies.
Yes, universities buy student data from tech companies. For example, a company might sell a chatbot for a university's admissions website that logs each interaction with applicants.
Universities claim they do not track their students, but they do collect location data, which could be used for tracking.
Universities collect various data points about their students, including cafeteria preferences, dorm check-in times, library usage, and academic performance.
Students can protect their data by being vigilant about the personal information they share online and by using privacy-friendly tools and browsers. Additionally, students can opt out of surveys and questionnaires that are not required.
