Privacy Evaluation for Biology Games
80%
Overview
Biology Games challenges users to max out their score – not just in the game but also when they take they next High School Biology test. The terms specify that the Service may allow users to create their own profile, which may be displayed publicly or semi-publicly. The terms state that the service may collect Personal Information and Demographic Information from users. In addition, the terms state that all data sent to and from their platform are protected via Transport Layer Security, or TLS. Teachers are strongly encouraged to review the parental consent procedures within their school or district before sharing student information.
Biology Games is available for download at the iOS App Store. The Privacy Policy and Terms of Use used for this evaluation can be found on Biology Games' iOS App Store. Additionally, other policies used for this evaluation include: Intervention Technology Privacy Policy and K-12 Learning Platforms Privacy Policy. This evaluation only considers policies that have been made publicly available prior to an individual using the application or service.
Safety
The terms specify that the service may allow users to create their own profile, which may be displayed publicly or semi-publicly. The terms state that a user's profile page may be set up to display information such as the user's display name, images, location, groups that the user has joined, and optional information added by the user including -- for example -- the user's tagline, photographs and educational materials.
The terms state that the user can post to chat rooms, message boards, other user's profiles, bulletin boards, or similar forums. The terms describe that these interactions may be public or semi-public, and could potentially be accessible via search. The terms state that the Service may also publish a user's name, voice, likeness and other Personal Information that is part of their User Content, and they may use the content, or any portion of the content, for advertising, marketing, publicity and promotional activities.
Lastly, the terms state that a user may send messages or invitations from the Service, and that people sending messages from the service should be aware that their e-mail address, mobile number, name and/or user name may be included along with any message.
Privacy
The terms of Biology Games specify that the service may collect Personal Information and Demographic Information from users. In addition, the service may automatically collect non-personal usage information when a user visits or interacts with the service. The terms state that on mobile devices, the service might track a device's location. The Service may also combine a user’s non-personally identifiable Demographic Information or Usage Information with the Personal Information they collect directly on the Service, but will treat the combined data as Personal Information. However, the terms also state that the Service may change their Privacy Policy at any time without notice to a user.
The terms state that the service may share a user’s non-Personal Information, such as aggregated user statistics or data related to a user and their activities, with third parties. However, the terms state that Personal Information will not be shared with third parties for direct marketing purposes unless the user provides consent. Users should be aware that the terms state that a person's name, voice, likeness and other Personal Information that is part of their User Content could be used for advertising, marketing, publicity and promotional activities.
Additionally, the Service may supplement the information they collect directly from users on the Service with external information from third parties. The terms state that third parties, including advertisers and advertising service providers, may collect information about users. These third parties may use their own tracking technologies on a user’s Device, or collect a user’s personal Information. While the terms state that the Service will not use Personally identifiable information to target ads, they also state that a user may be served with targeted and contextual advertising, including location-based advertising.
Security
The terms state that all data sent to and from their platform are protected via Transport Layer Security, or TLS. The terms also specify that data that are covered under COPPA or FERPA are encrypted at rest whenever possible. The terms state that if the Service is not able to encrypt data, the Service will use other means to protect that data. The terms do not provide clear information on whether or not sensitive information that is not covered under COPPA or FERPA is encrypted at rest.
In the terms, the Company describes that privacy and information security training is provided to employees. They also describe how access to personal information is limited to specific employees. The Company uses third-party cloud service providers in the delivery and operation of their learning platform, and data is stored on the servers of their cloud service providers. The terms describe contractual requirements in place with these cloud service providers that are designed to protect user data.
Compliance
The terms specify that the tools and services covered under their policies are designed for teachers and schools working with K12 students. The terms highlight that, under COPPA, schools can provide consent for parents for online tools used for an educational purpose. The terms also state that the Company meets the criteria for a "school official" under FERPA.
The terms specify that the service does not knowingly collect Personal Information from children under the age of 13 without verified parental consent - and for applications used within schools, the terms state that this consent can be provided by the school. However, if personal information is collected, the service allows users to access, update, or correct their Personal Information.
The service states they meet FERPA's requirements for qualifying as a school official because they give the school direct control over the use and maintenance of the education records. The terms also state that the Service does not re-disclose or use this personal information except for the purposes of providing the learning platform to the school.
The terms state that the Service posts additional information or a separate Children's Privacy Policy on any website or app store page for a Service directed to children under 13 years of age. These additional policies explain what types of Personal Information may be collected, and what options parents have to approve or limit collection from children. However, this means that users will need to navigate five different sets of policies to determine the privacy and data security practices of the Service.
Teachers are strongly encouraged to review the parental consent procedures within their school or district before sharing student information.
Rating
- Personal information is not sold or rented to third parties.
- Personal information is shared for third-party marketing.
- Personalised advertising is displayed.
- Data are collected by third-parties for their own purposes.
- User's information is used to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
- Data profiles are not created and used for personalised advertisements.
Data Collection
SCORE: 65%
What data does it collect?
- Personally identifiable information (PII) is collected.
- The categories of collected personally identifiable information are indicated.
- Collection or use of data is limited to product requirements.
- Geolocation data are collected.
- Unclear whether this product collects biometric or health data.
- Interactions, behaviors, or usage analytics data are collected.
- Sensitive data are not collected.
- Data is automatically collected.
- Opt-in consent is requested from users at the time personal information is collected.
- Personal information of users is collected by a third party.
Data Sharing
SCORE: 90%
What data does it share?
- Collected information is shared with third parties.
- The categories of information shared with third parties are indicated.
- The purpose for sharing a user's personal information with third parties is indicated.
- The categories of third parties that receive data are indicated.
- Data are shared for analytics.
- Data are shared for research and/or product improvement.
- Third-party services are used to support the product.
- The roles of third-party service providers are indicated.
- Third-party login is supported.
- Contractual limits are placed on third-party data use.
Data Security
SCORE: 80%
How does it secure data?
- Unclear whether a user's identity is verified with additional personal information.
- Unclear whether this product requires account creation.
- Managed accounts are available.
- Multi-factor account protection is available.
- Third-parties with access to information are required to provide the same security protections as the company.
- Reasonable security practices are used to protect data.
- Employee or physical access to user information is limited.
- All data in transit are encrypted.
- All data are stored in an encrypted format.
- Notice is provided in the event of a data breach.
Data Rights
SCORE: 60%
What rights do I have to the data?
- Users can create or upload content.
- Unclear whether users retain ownership of their data.
- Processes to access or review user data are available.
- Processes to modify data are available for authorized users.
- A data-retention policy is available.
- Processes for authorized users to delete data are available.
- A user's data are not deleted upon account cancellation or termination.
- Data are deleted when no longer necessary.
- Unclear whether methods are available to restrict who has access to data.
- Unclear whether this product provides users the ability to download their data.
Data Sold
SCORE: 60%
Is the data sold?
- Personal information is not sold or rented to third parties.
- Users can opt out from the disclosure or sale of their data to a third party.
- User information can be transferred to a third party in the event of a merge, acquisition, or bankruptcy.
- Unclear whether users are notified if their information is transferred to a third party.
- Unclear whether user information can be deleted prior to its transfer to a third party.
- Third-party transfer is contractually required to use the same privacy practices.
- User information that is shared is shared in an anonymous or de-identified format.
- The company describes their de-identification process of user information.
- Data are shared for research and/or product improvement.
- Unclear whether contractual limits prohibit third parties from reidentifying or de-identified information.
Data Safety
SCORE: 35%
How safe is this product?
- Users can interact with trusted users.
- Users can interact with untrusted users, including strangers and/or adults.
- Profile information must be shared for social interactions.
- Personal information can be displayed publicly.
- Users can control how their data are displayed to others.
- Unclear whether user-created content is reviewed, screened, or monitored by the company.
- Unclear whether user-created content is filtered for personal information before being made publicly visible.
- Unclear whether social interactions between users are moderated.
- Unclear whether social interactions of users are logged.
- Unclear whether users can report abuse or cyberbullying.
Ads & Tracking
SCORE: 65%
Are there advertisements or tracking?
- Personal information is shared for third-party marketing.
- Traditional or contextual advertisements are not displayed.
- Personalised advertising is displayed.
- Data are collected by third-parties for their own purposes.
- User's information is used to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
- Data profiles are not created and used for personalised advertisements.
- The company can send marketing messages.
- The company does provide promotional sweepstakes, contests, or surveys.
- Users cannot opt out of contextual, or personalised advertising.
- Users can opt out or unsubscribe from marketing communications.
Parental Consent
SCORE: 65%
Can I provide parental consent?
- Intended for children under 13.
- Personal information from children under 13 years of age is collected.
- Unclear whether intended for parents or guardians.
- Company does have actual knowledge that personal information from users under 13 years of age is collected.
- The company does provide a section, heading, or separate policy for children in their policies.
- Parental consent is required before personal information is collected or disclosed.
- Unclear whether this product limits parental consent with respect to third parties.
- Parents can withdraw consent for the further collection of their child's information.
- Children's personal information is deleted if collected without parental consent.
- Unclear whether this product provides parental consent notice and method for submission.
School Purpose
SCORE: 75%
Is the product intended for school?
- Intended for students.
- Personal information or education records are collected from preK-12 students.
- Intended for teachers.
- Product is primarily used by, designed for, and marketed toward students in grades preK–12.
- Processes to enter education records into the product are described.
- Unclear whether additional rights or protections may be provided with an additional school contract.
- Company is designated as a school official.
- Parental consent obligations are transferred to the school or district.
Individual Control
SCORE: 70%
Can I control the use of my data?
- Users can control the use of their information through privacy settings.
- Use of information is limited to the purpose for which it was collected.
- The context or purpose for which data are collected is indicated.
- Company may combine data with additional data from third-party sources.
- Combined information is treated as personally identifiable information (PII).
- Notice is provided if the context in which data are collected changes.
- Consent is obtained if the practices in which data are collected change.
- Unclear whether a grievance or remedy mechanism is available for users to file a complaint.
- Unclear whether users can request to know what personal information has been shared with third parties.
- Notice is not provided in the event the company receives a government or legal request for a user's information.
Common Sense Standard Privacy Report (SPR)
The standard privacy report (SPR) displays all the privacy practices from a product's policies in a single, easy-to-read outline. The report shows a green check mark for better privacy practices and an orange alert for risky or unclear practices. This alert indicates that more time should be focused on these particular details prior to use.
About Privacy Evaluations
The privacy evaluations have been designed with the help and support of a consortium of schools and districts across the United States. These evaluations are designed to help educators make informed decisions about the potential privacy implications of educational technology used to support teaching and learning.
Our core evaluation criteria will always be freely available. People are encouraged to read the questions we use and our information security primer. Vendors are encouraged to use our questions and the information security primer to self-evaluate. You can also learn more about our evaluation process. Please be in touch with any questions or feedback.