Tech Talk: Student Privacy During COVID-19 — Talking Tech w/ Kim Ochs & Elizabeth Laird
CDT’s Tech Talk is a podcast where we dish on tech and Internet policy, while also explaining what these policies mean to our daily lives. You can find Tech Talk on Spotify, SoundCloud, iTunes, and Google Play, as well as Stitcher and TuneIn.
We have another exciting show for you this week!
Due to the rapid school closures caused by COVID-19, many school districts are introducing new distance learning strategies in hopes to continue education during this uncertain time. But as many students are turning to technology and online platforms to aid in their studies, many privacy advocates are concerned that their data may not be properly protected.
In this episode of Tech Talk, you will hear from Kim Ochs, CDT Fellow and Adjunct Professor at the Indiana Institute of Technology and Elizabeth Laird, Senior Fellow for the Student Privacy Project as we discuss what schools are doing to protect children’s privacy during COVID-19, and where some may be falling short.
Coalition Urges Senate Not to Let Companies Waive Financial Regulations for AI
CDT joined AI Now Institute, American Civil Liberties Union, and several organizations dedicated to tech policy, consumer protection, and civil rights in a letter to Senate leadership and the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee opposing the “AI Innovation Labs” language in Sec. 10509 of the CLARITY Act.
The Privacy Paradox: How Government Data Has Become Less Private and Less Useful
Providing ready access to information collected and maintained by the government promotes accountability, innovation, and research, making transparency a core responsibility of serving as a steward of the public’s data. Public agencies must also safeguard sensitive information when making data publicly available.
Defending State Data: Lessons from California v. USDA
As the federal government increasingly seeks access to state administrative data, policymakers should consider not only legal authority and privacy implications, but also the practical effects on public confidence, program effectiveness, and states’ ability to fulfill their obligations to residents.
CDT and Partners Urge Passage of the California Location Privacy Act of 2025 (AB 322)
Location data is particularly sensitive, and when collected across time it can reveal a broad range of intrusive insights such as medical conditions, sexual orientation, political activities, and religious beliefs.
