Is My Child’s Data Collected by Google Classroom?
Many of the apps associated with G Suite for Education are indeed tracked. When your child is provided with an account to use Classroom, that data is managed by privacy rules that forbid Google from tracking and collecting learner data. If the school’s administrator turns on Additional Services, Google may collect data on those apps as it would for any of its other general apps.
If your child’s educator relies on learners to use their Gmail accounts to access Google Classroom, the data, including the sites they visit, the videos they watch, and their location will be tracked by Google. The company tries to be transparent with their data collection, stating that they maintain privacy and only use collected data to make their products better for the users.
Another risk is the third parties. Although Google doesn’t share or sell learner data to partners and vets the developers it utilizes for Classroom, third parties could collect information from your child, then profile and target them using that data.
Educators need to obtain permission from parents or guardians before implementing Google Classroom, and ensure they approve of their children using the internet and Google products. It also would be a good idea for students to be reminded by both their families and teachers that when using technology at school, they need to be responsible digital citizens. Make sure they are familiar with internet safety and the importance of refraining from sharing private or sensitive information over the internet.