I think I'd have to think about this before endorsing this idea. Jim Farmer relates "a bold proposal" from Tracy Mitrano: "[the] most important action that can be taken to protect student privacy is a contractual requirement that contractors follow the same privacy requirements—including FERPA (Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act)—as colleges and universities themselves follow." It sounds good in principle. But then's there the concern about whether FERPA will be enforced - there's the suggestion that it isn't being enforced now. And FERPA is intended to cover data related to financial aid, and therefore things like tax return data. Which may lead some to suggest that if companies are governed under the same rules, they should be able to access this sensitive data, something I would not support. I wonder whether a better plan might not to be to impose less stringent requirements and to not give them sensitive data in the first place. Because, after all, the likelihood that companies will adhere to the letter and spirit of the law is effectively nil.
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