Madrid Parents Urge Spanish Data Protection Agency to Investigate Google Workplace for Education Privacy Breaches

A recent message circulating on a Telegram chat in Madrid is urging parents with children under 13 who use Google Workplace for Education to file complaints with the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD). The message emphasizes the importance of taking action to investigate potential breaches of data protection in schools. This campaign is gaining momentum as more parents express concern about the use of screens and technology in educational settings.

Google Workspace for Education includes various services like Google Drive, Classroom, Meet, and Google Docs, which require users to create accounts. While there have been no direct complaints against Google itself, educational centers are being targeted for their handling of student data. In response to complaints in Denmark, the Danish data protection agency ruled that the use of Google Workspace and Chromebooks in schools lacked a legal basis for data transmission. This success story has inspired similar actions in Spain, particularly in Madrid, where concerns about data processing and privacy are mounting.

Academic researchers warn about the risks associated with using cloud service providers like Google for education, given the potential access to sensitive student data. There are concerns about the lack of knowledge among school administrators on how to safeguard student accounts and prevent unauthorized data collection. The AEPD has already issued warnings to several educational centers for non-compliance with data protection regulations. While Google has not officially responded to these complaints, the AEPD is actively monitoring the situation and addressing concerns related to data processing in educational settings.

The ultimate goal is to protect minors’ privacy and ensure that their data is handled responsibly. Alumni of screening-intensive studies such as the ALM Association in Spain are also calling for action to protect students and ensure compliance with data protection laws.