Google and privacy: Children's data also stored

Google collects schoolchildren's personal data, including internet searches, according to a civil liberties group

Google has been providing Chromebooks to schools along with Google apps for educational purposes, claiming that the company does not sell adverts on the apps, rather "users own their data".

In a complaint to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) said the alleged practice broke promises made by Google.

The complaint stated that Google products used in schools sent data to the company without seeking parental permission.



The products are designed to be a safe place for students to learn.

No adverts appear on the core apps in the suite: Gmail, drives, calendar and sites.

According to the EFF, the Chromebooks have synchornisation enabled by default on google's built in browser.

"This allows Google to track, store on its servers, and data mine for non-advertising purposes records of every internet site students visit, every search term they use, the results they click on, videos they look for and watch on YouTube, and their saved passwords," the statement said.



The EFF added that Google "uses (the data) for its own purposes such as improving Google products."

EFF lawyer Nate Cardozo said the practice contradicted the Student Privacy Pledge, which Google has signed, and therefore represented a "violation of FTC rules against unfair and deceptive business practices".

"Minors shouldn't be tracked or used as guinea pigs, with their data treated as a profit centre," Cardozo said.

"If Google wants to use students' data to 'improve Google products,' then it needs to get express consent from parents."



According to statement made by Google spokesperson, "Our services enable students everywhere to learn and keep their information private and secure."

"While we appreciate EFF's focus on student privacy, we are confident that these tools comply with both the law and our promises, including the Student Privacy Pledge."

An FTC spokesperson has not yet responded to a request for comment.

This article was originally published in BBC