Increasing Privacy: Opt Out of Schools Sharing Kid’s Information

Did you know that most public schools can share what is called “Directory Information” about students with ANY third party who requests it? Directory Information can include an array of details about a student, including age, date of birth, address, height, weight, email address, photos, clubs they belong to, and other school-related details. This information can be released to anyone who asks for it, including marketers, information brokers (who collect and sell personal information), predators, or abusers. This can be a privacy and safety concern, especially for survivors of violence. Many survivors of violence relocate with their children and are diligent at maintaining their privacy to keep their personal information and location unknown to the abuser.

Survivors need to know that this information can be shared and know how to opt out so they can minimize the risks of abusers tracking them or attempting to contact the children directly. The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) allows parents to opt their children out of Directory Information.

Unfortunately, the window to opt out is short; sometimes just a week or two when school first starts. Many schools will also require that families opt out each school year. As school starts again this year, ask your children’s school about opting out of Directory Information. Parents can also ask schools if they have internal policies to limit who may request and access Directory information and advocate for the creation of those policies if they don’t exist.

For more information about this issue, visit World Privacy Forum’s Student Privacy 101 Series, check out the World Privacy Forum’s #OptOutKids Campaign, and watch their YouTube video.

Technology Summit 2015 Agenda & Events

We're so excited to welcome attendees to our 3rd Annual Technology Summit next week in San Francisco! If you're joining us, we can't wait to meet you! If you're not joining us, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to see what we're up to. Take a look at the program book to see what's going on.

This year, we have much to discuss in the world of technology, privacy, and survivor safety. 
Earlier this year, in Elonis v. the United States, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the conviction of Anthony Elonis, who posted threats (which he called rap lyrics) against his ex-wife on Facebook. Elonis had been convicted under the standard that a “reasonable person” would have viewed the posts as real threats. However, the Court said that something more is required, without specifying exactly what, so it is unclear how that decision will impact future cases involving online threats.

Despite our disappointment with that decision, the issue of sharing or distributing intimate images without consent (aka “revenge porn”) has seen a lot of movement. In fact, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and Google have updated their policies to include banning non-consensual pornography on their sites. Currently, a federal bill addressing this issue is being discussed and debated.

For victim service programs, selecting effective technologies to support their services, using technology to reach survivors, and finding ways to hold offenders accountable for their crimes continue to be core topics. Privacy, security, safety, and survivor empowerment are part and parcel of those issues, making these very complex discussions.

We hope that by the end of the Summit, we will all leave with more tools and ideas as well as more questions and thoughts about what we can do to help survivors find safety and healing while working toward a world where violence against all people no longer exists.

If you're not able to join us, follow along on social media (#techsummit15 and #TS15QA)!

10 Steps to a More Secure Password

Today is World Password Day, and a reminder that you should change your password. Passwords are used for almost everything we do these days because, without a password, anyone can get into all your stuff: your phone, email, bank account, social media, etc. 

Here are some tips on how to create a secure password:

1. Pick a password that will be hard for someone else to guess.

2. Use different passwords for different accounts.

3. Best passwords are longer than 8 characters and contain numbers and symbols.

4. Keep your passwords simple, so you can remember it. 

5. Share your password with no one. 

6. Use 2-step verification/authentication (where you use your password as well as a code that's sent to your phone or email). 

7. Uncheck the “remember me” or “keep me logged in” feature. 

8. Always remember to log off. 

9. Change your password often (today, for instance, on World Password Day!).

10. Be strategic with secret questions and answers.

For more explanation on these tips, check out our handout on Password: Simple Ways to Increase Your Security.