When choosing online software or applications, please keep the following in mind:

• Is it the right tool?
  • Is there an already approved tool that accomplishes the same functions?
  • Does the software support the instructional purpose?
• Does it gather the right data?
  • Does the software collect the appropriate data needed for instruction or is it collecting too much data?
• Is the data being used correctly?
  • Does the software protect who can access the data?
  • Is the data being used for marketing and/or being sold to other organizations?
• Is the data being protected?
  • Does the software utilize technologies such as encryption and logging to protect student data?

Read the End User Agreement, Terms of Use and/or Privacy Policy on the company's website and use the following advice to help determine if the resource is safe to use. Here is some language to pay attention to when reviewing on-demand contracts:

Privacy may be at risk:

• user information may be used for targeted advertising
• we may collect, store, sell or share information to 3rd parties
• information may be visible to 3rd parties
• we utilize location services
• we own the data collected or stored
• keep data even when accounts are deleted

Statements to consider with caution:

• collect and store information
• access your contacts
• users must be at least X years old

Positive privacy statements to look for:

• we do not collect personally identifiable information
• we will not share or sell information to 3rd parties
• we comply with COPPA, FERPA, CIPA
• collect, use, share, and retain student personal information only for purposes for which we were authorized by the educational institution/agency, teacher or the parent/student
• we have signed the Federal Student Data Privacy Pledge

NOTE: These are only guidelines. Please contact Technology Services if you would like our assistance reviewing a privacy policy.