Certified Information Privacy Professional – United States (CIPP/US) — Question 212

In 2014, Google was alleged to have violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) through its Apps for Education suite of tools. For what specific practice did students sue the company?

Answer options

• A. Scanning emails sent to and received by students
• B. Making student education records publicly available
• C. Relying on verbal consent for a disclosure of education records
• D. Disclosing education records without obtaining required consent

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is A, as the lawsuit was specifically about Google scanning emails sent to and received by students, which was seen as a violation of FERPA. The other options either misrepresent the nature of the allegations or involve practices that were not the basis of the lawsuit.