One of two complaints to Austria’s privacy authority by advocacy group NOYB claims Microsoft is moving responsibility for children’s personal data to underprepared schools
The admonitions directed at Microsoft’s online education software represent the most recent criticisms lodged by competitors and activists against the American technology behemoth.
The COVID-19 pandemic witnessed a surge in the adoption of online educational programs as institutions transitioned to remote instruction and students engaged in remote learning.
NOYB (none of your business) complaints revolve around the Microsoft 365 Education suite of software applications designed for students.
This suite comprises PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, Excel, and Microsoft Teams.
The advocacy group posits in its initial complaint that Microsoft transfers its obligation as a data controller, which entails handling users’ data by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union, to educational institutions that do not possess the requisite data.
“Under the current system that Microsoft has imposed on schools, your institution would be required to audit Microsoft or give them instructions on how to process student data.”
“It is common knowledge that such contractual agreements are unrealistic,” NOYB attorney Maartje de Graaf said in a statement.
“This is nothing more than an attempt to shift the responsibility for children’s data as far away from Microsoft as possible,” according to her.
Microsoft said it would be delighted to respond to any inquiries data protection agencies may have concerning NOYB’s complaints.
“M365 for Education complies with GDPR and other applicable privacy laws, and we thoroughly protect the privacy of our young users,” said a Microsoft representative.
The second NOYB complaint pertains to the cookies implemented within Microsoft 365 Education. Advertisers utilize cookies to monitor consumers.
“Our examination of the data flows is extremely concerning.
” Microsoft 365 Education monitors users irrespective of their age. According to NOYB attorney Felix Mikolasch, “this practice will likely impact hundreds of thousands of students and teachers in the EU and EEA (European Economic Area).”
NOYB urged the Austrian Data Protection Authority to investigate its complaints and impose a sanction on Microsoft.