Data privacy
Also used: Student data privacy
Data privacy is the practice of protecting personal information and giving people appropriate control over how it is collected, used, shared, and retained.
Why it matters to educators
AI tools often process prompts, files, conversations, and account information. Educators must know what data is being shared and whether that use is permitted by policy, law, and family expectations.
The foundation
Privacy is more than keeping a password secret. It includes data minimization, clear purpose, appropriate consent, secure handling, retention limits, and knowing whether a provider uses information to improve its services or train models.
De-identifying information reduces risk but may not make data anonymous in every context. The safest approach is to avoid entering personally identifiable student information unless the tool and use have been explicitly approved.
What this can look like in education
Plan with a fictional learner
A teacher describes a generalized learning need instead of pasting a student's name, work, accommodation plan, or unique history into a public AI tool.
Review a vendor agreement
A district team confirms what data a tool stores, where it is processed, how it is deleted, and which staff can access it.