University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Education Joel Westheimer and Trend Micro Vice President of Cloud Research Mark Nunnikhoven discussed the benefits and privacy risks of classroom apps, CBC News reports. Westheimer said the apps can give feedback to teachers and parents and give parents the ability to see what their children work on. Nunnikhoven notes most of the apps are based in the U.S. and therefore are subject to different privacy laws than the ones enforced in Canada. Nunnikhoven adds there needs to be more transparency into the use of the apps, such as calls for privacy impact and security assessments. Westheimer also expressed concern on the consistent examination of children’s work. “You can't really call it any other word than surveillance,” Westheimer said.
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