Google Faces Lawsuit for Illegally Collecting Data on Schoolchildren
Google Faces Lawsuit for Illegally Collecting Data on Schoolchildren
What Happened?
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Google for allegedly collecting personal data from schoolchildren without parental consent.
How Did Google Collect Data?
- Google allegedly used its educational platform, G Suite for Education, to collect data on students’ internet activity, location, and search history.
- The data was collected through various Google services, including Chromebooks, Google Docs, and Google Drive.
Why Is This Illegal?
The lawsuit claims that Google’s actions violate the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which requires parental consent for the collection of personal information from children under 13.
What Are the Consequences?
- If found guilty, Google could face fines of up to $42,530 per violation of COPPA.
- The lawsuit also seeks to stop Google from collecting data on students without parental consent.
What Is Google’s Response?
Google has denied any wrongdoing and stated that it is committed to protecting the privacy and security of its users, including students.
What Can Parents Do?
- Parents can review and adjust their child’s privacy settings on G Suite for Education.
- They can also opt-out of data collection by Google for their child’s account.
Conclusion
The lawsuit against Google highlights the importance of protecting children’s privacy online and the need for companies to comply with laws such as COPPA. Parents should be aware of their child’s online activity and take steps to protect their personal information.
