It might seem like a foregone conclusion to some, but really it isn’t. I guess these companies have the same type of TOS that nobody reads, the schools just sign them, and there’s no regulations holding either party back.

Schools pay for the services directly or may request federal grant funding to cover the costs.

Originally intended to support students’ mental health and prevent adverse school events, such as school shootings, the study found that school-based online surveillance companies are extensively monitoring students’ digital behavior, both during and outside of school hours, often using artificial intelligence (AI) with little human oversight or transparency.

The research team identified 14 companies actively marketing online surveillance services frequently beyond school-issued devices and outside of school premises, raising concerns about privacy, equity and oversight

86% of companies monitor students 24 hours per day and 7 days per week, not just during school hours.

It’s like using a fishy mental health app that sells All Your Data to the highest bidder. Except with minors who didn’t even make the decision to install that app themselves.