Privacy & Security
Education news, analysis, and opinion about efforts to protect sensitive information and keep students safe online
School Cyberattacks, Explained
Hackers are terrorizing schools with increasingly complex attacks, causing data breaches and more. Here’s what educators need to know.
Special Report
Cyberattacks on Schools
There have been at least 775 publicly disclosed cyber incidents in K-12 schools nationally since 2016. Under normal circumstances, this was a big problem. Now, the coronavirus could make it even bigger.
Special Report
K-12 Cybersecurity
Education Week delves into the nature of the threats facing K-12 systems and the steps they can take to protect themselves. This examination of K-12 cybersecurity is the second of three special reports focused on the needs of K-12 district technology leaders, including chief technology officers.
Special Report
Data
The rising tension between advocates for greater use of data to improve schools and people who are worried about protecting student privacy is one of the most contentious issues in education.
Privacy & Security Video Amid Facebook’s Data-Privacy Concerns, Schools Continue to See Its ValueFacebook remains the center of attention over concerns about data privacy and sharing. How are schools reckoning with how they use the social media platform and what data are shared? Education Week reporter Benjamin Herold discusses the specific challenges facing students and educators with PBS NewsHour. (April 24, 2018)
Privacy & Security YouTube Accused of Targeting Children With Ads, Violating Federal Privacy LawConsumer advocacy groups filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, alleging that YouTube has used children's personal information to target ads.
Privacy & Security In U.S. House Hearing, Zuckerberg Responds to Data Collection on MinorsHouse members press Facebook CEO to explain why the company continues to collect data on minors and to stop creating "shadow profiles."
Privacy & Security Zuckerberg Promises Changes at Facebook, But Impact on K-12 UnclearEd-tech apps could be part of a sweeping Facebook investigation, and the company's CEO defended its products for children while downplaying concerns about "tech addiction" during U.S. Senate testimony.Privacy & Security Privacy Experts Assess Potential K-12 Fallout From Facebook's Crisis of TrustRevelations about how data that originated on Facebook was used by a firm in the U.K. for political purposes raises questions for K-12 districts.
Privacy & Security Florida Virtual School Reveals Huge Data BreachesThe personal information of more than 368,000 students and 1,800 teachers was compromised, the country's largest state-run virtual school said.
Privacy & Security K-12 Media Literacy No Panacea for Fake News, Report ArguesWith disinformation rampant on social media platforms, media literacy efforts need to focus on structural forces, not just students' personal responsibility for vetting information, Data & Society researchers contend.
Privacy & Security State and District Education Websites Fail to Disclose Ad Trackers, Study FindsMany state and local education agency websites aren't disclosing the presence of third-party tracking services, according a new EdTech Strategies study.Privacy & Security Facebook's New Messaging App for Young Children Raises Concerns"Messenger Kids" will let children video chat with parent-approved contacts, but the app is raising concerns about data-privacy and social-media use by young children.
Privacy & Security U.S. Agencies Grapple With Student-Data-Privacy Guidance for SchoolsThe Federal Trade Commission and the Education Department recently held a meeting to discuss fundamental data-privacy questions facing K-12 schools.Privacy & Security When Should Cybersecurity Education Start? Some Say Elementary SchoolIntroducing students to the importance of cybersecurity earlier during their K-12 careers was one of the strategies discussed at a conference on online school security being held this week.Privacy & Security U.S. House Hearing on Algorithms & Big Data: 5 Takeaways for SchoolsMassive data collection and algorithmic bias are big concerns with no easy answers, experts told the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday.
Privacy & Security Risky Practices With Students' Data Security Are Common, Survey SuggestsOver two-thirds of participants responded to survey questions in a way indicating that they could have exposed students' or employees' personally identifiable information.
Privacy & Security Explainer COPPA and Schools: The (Other) Federal Student Privacy Law, ExplainedWhat school and district leaders need to know about the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.Privacy & Security The FTC on COPPA: 5 New Takeaways for Schools and Ed-Tech CompaniesThe Federal Trade Commission provided Education Week with new information about what the Children's Online Privacy Protection Acts means for schools and ed-tech companies.
