According to MinnPost, Minnesota lawmakers https://www.minnpost.com/glean/2016/01/minnesota-lawmakers-introduce-legislation-protect-student-privacyare setting up bills to protect students privacy online…

Who knew privacy could bridge the culture wars? At WCCO-TV Pat Kessler reports, “Minnesota lawmakers announced Wednesday far-reaching efforts to stop what they say is the virtually unrestricted snooping into personal data. It’s part of a 17-state effort to introduce privacy bills across the nation. In Minnesota, an unusual coalition of lawmakers is behind the privacy push. As it stands, there are few laws stopping businesses, governments or even schools from snooping.” I really hope this isn’t news to anyone.

At the AP Kyle Potter adds, “With more laptops, tablets and cellphones in classrooms and college campuses, Minnesota lawmakers unveiled a set of bills Wednesday meant to ensure students’ private information stays that way. Joined by data privacy advocates, a trio of lawmakers vowed to introduce legislation this year to protect personal information on school-issued iPads and laptops, block third-party vendors from accessing school district troves and ensure students’ personal cellphones and social media accounts aren’t inappropriately searched.”

Just last week, Senator Franken asked Google to respond to some questions about privacy of students using Google Education tools. It’s good to see policymakers taking on the issue.