An article on the growing backlash against education technology by The 74 Million quoted California attorney Mark Williams, who handles education technology contracts and student privacy, as he weighed in on the challenges schools face in managing student data and digital tools. Discussing proposals that would require companies to obtain direct parental consent, Williams said such a system would be “an administrative nightmare,” adding, “Throw that out the window; it doesn’t work.”

Williams also highlighted the broader data-sharing dynamic at the center of the controversy, noting that “Parents are allowing districts to collect and give to a third party data that they would not otherwise be entitled to.” He emphasized that, in exchange for that access, schools have a responsibility to be transparent about their practices. However, he acknowledged that current systems often fall short, concluding that “unfortunately, that process can be pretty opaque.”

The article outlines rising concern from parents, policymakers and privacy experts about how student data is used and shared by ed tech companies. Lawsuits, audits and federal scrutiny have brought new attention to the issue, while districts continue to balance the benefits of digital learning tools with growing demands for accountability and transparency.

You can read the full article here.