Bill Would Limit Use of Student Data

Rep Jared S. Polis (D-CO) and Rep Luke Messer (R-IN) have cosponsored the Student Digital Privacy and Parental Rights Act, a bill that would prohibit companies that operate school services -- like online homework portals, digital grade books for teachers or student email programs -- from knowingly using or disclosing students’ personal information to tailor advertisements to them. It would also bar them from collecting or using student data to create marketing profiles. But the bill is likely to be opposed by education privacy advocates who seek stronger consent mechanisms for students and parents -- as well as by industry groups that favor self-regulation.