Let me fill you in on some rather disconcerting news: PowerSchool Holdings Inc. finds itself in hot water after being hit with three federal lawsuits. The catch? They’re being accused of his apparent lapse in data security. A lapse which left exposed the personal details of countless students, parents, and teachers following a data breach in December.
The individuals who stepped up – Sheilah Buack-Shelton, Tyler Baker, and Kimberly Kinney – have all filled separate complaints. They assert that PowerSchool has essentially fallen short of its duty to secure personal data adequately. Whether we’re talking about common law, industry standards, contract law, or even the Federal Trade Commission Act – it seems they’ve executed an impressive triple sulk in the security Olympics!
The aftermath of the breach is not just a motivational poster in a corporate office stating, “It’s been X days since our last data breach.” The after-effects are far more real for those involved. The breach allegedly exposed a wealth of personal information: names, addresses, Social Security numbers, contact info, medical and financial details, and so forth. Even the bus-stop information, student grades, GPAs, and employment information are reportedly out in the open.
The statement from PowerSchool rings a somewhat sober note. Of course, they can’t comment on the litigation. But they offer that empathetic olive branch – promising to support the customers, educators, and families affected during this tricky time. After all, they’re essentially in this mess together, aren’t they!
Now, this isn’t PowerSchool’s first ride at the legal rodeo. Last year, they found themselves in a similar pickle for allegedly nicking and flogging student data without the knowledge – nevermind the approval – of the parents! This legal kerfuffle shone quite a spotlight on PowerSchool, making many more folks aware of their actions.
The term ‘nonconsensual student data mining’ seems to feature quite heavily in the lawsuits. Parents – the named plaintiffs in the lawsuits – have stepped up, arguing that sending their children to school isn’t synonymous with dropping their rights into a bottomless pit. They assert that they should, at the very least, understand what information is being gleaned from their children.
So that’s the down-low. It’s a sobering reminder that as technology encroaches more and more on education (and by proxy, on our kids) we must be vigilant. After all, we’re entrusting these organisations with the world’s most precious resource – the next generation. And they surely deserve a hell of a lot more secure environment in which to learn and grow.
by Parker Bytes
