Edmodo found to be violating protections to children’s information.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has ordered education technology provider Edmodo to halt the collection of unnecessary personal data from children participating in education activities. Edmodo had been collecting personal data from children without obtaining parental consent, violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Rule (COPPA Rule), and using it for advertising purposes.
The company illegally transferred its COPPA compliance responsibilities to schools as well as retaining the children’s data for an extended period of time, another violation of COPPA. The proposed order, which was filed by the Department of Justice on behalf of the FTC, prohibits Edmodo from requiring students to provide excessive personal data when participating in online educational activities.
“This order makes clear that ed tech providers cannot outsource compliance responsibilities to schools, or force students to choose between their privacy and education,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Other ed tech providers should carefully examine their practices to ensure they’re not compromising students’ privacy.“
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For members of the FTC as they evaluate the compliance of companies with federal privacy regulations.
- For Director Levine to be led by God as he heads the Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Sources: Federal Trade Commission
