Common Sense Privacy Program

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Privacy Evaluation for ReadWorks

Last updated
Applications and services with a Pass rating have met our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices. Before using an application or service with this rating, parents, teachers, schools, and districts are strongly advised to read the full privacy evaluation as a starting point for the process of vetting the application or service. In addition, a more detailed review should happen before any child or student data is shared with a product.

68%

Pass

Learn how we rate

Overview

ReadWorks is an educational company that provides resources and tools to help aid reading instruction in K-12 classrooms. The terms of ReadWorks state that personally identifiable information is collected from users such as a user's name, email address, usage information, and an IP address. Additionally, the terms of ReadWorks state that they share some of this information with third parties such as service providers. The terms of ReadWorks state that they do not display advertisements of any kind. According to the terms of ReadWorks, users cannot interact with untrusted users (strangers) but it is unclear whether or not they can interact with trusted users of the product.

Additionally, the terms of ReadWorks do not specify whether or not users are notified in the event of a data breach or if data is encrypted at rest and/or in transit. The terms of ReadWorks state that there is a process available for users to request access and modification of their personal information, but it is unclear whether or not users can also request the modification of their personal data. Lastly, the terms of ReadWorks state that their product is intended to be used by children younger than the age of 13.

ReadWorks can be accessed through its website. The Privacy Policy and Terms of Use used for this evaluation can be found on ReadWorks’ website. This evaluation only considers policies that have been made publicly available prior to an individual using the application or service.

Safety

The terms of ReadWorks state that a user's profile is not shared for social interactions. Since the terms do not specify whether or not users can interact with trusted users of the product, it is unclear whether or not any potential interactions are moderated or if user-created content is monitored. Additionally, the terms of ReadWorks do not specify whether or not bullying or harassment of any kind that takes place while using the product can be reported. Lastly, the terms of ReadWorks do not specify whether or not any potential interactions are logged by the company or if they are available for review or audit.

Privacy

According to the terms of ReadWorks, the collection of personal information is limited to information required for the product. Additionally, the terms of ReadWorks state that they do not collect any geolocation, health, or behavioral data from users. However, the terms of ReadWorks do state that they collect usage data from users. Further, the terms of ReadWorks state that some personal information is collected by third parties such as Amazon Web Services. The terms of ReadWorks also state that they send marketing communications such as emails but users can unsubscribe from these communications if they choose to do so. According to the terms of ReadWorks, a user's personal information can be transferred in the event of a merger or acquisition. Lastly, the terms of ReadWorks state that they do not sell a user's information.

Security

According to the terms of ReadWorks, the company has taken reasonable security measures to protect personal information. Additionally, the terms of ReadWorks state that they limit employee access to users' personal information. Further, the terms of ReadWorks state that they require third parties who have access to a user's personal information to provide the same level of protection as ReadWorks does. The terms also state that they verify a user's identity, but only when they are requesting access or deletion of their personal information. Lastly, the terms of ReadWorks state that guardians and educators can create a managed account on behalf of their child/student.

Compliance

According to the terms of ReadWorks, users can submit user-generated content to the product such as class assignments. Additionally, the terms of ReadWorks state that the user does not retain ownership rights of the content they submit. (Further, the terms of ReadWorks do not specify whether or not they collect verifiable parental consent from parents before children use the service or if the school is responsible for collecting consent.)

Rating

This product received a Pass rating based on the following details:
  • Intended for children under 13.
  • Collection or use of data is limited to product requirements.
  • Unclear whether personal information can be displayed publicly.
  • Unclear whether this product supports interactions between trusted users.
  • Unclear whether this product provides notice in the event of a data breach.
  • Unclear whether parental consent is required before personal information is collected or disclosed.
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 not collected.
  • Biometric or health data are not collected.
  • Interactions, behaviors, or usage analytics data are not collected.
  • Unclear whether this product collects sensitive data.
  • Data is automatically collected.
  • Unclear whether 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: 60%

What data does it share?

  • Collected information is shared with third parties.
  • Unclear whether the categories of information shared with third parties are indicated.
  • The purpose for sharing a user's personal information with third parties is indicated.
  • Unclear whether the categories of third parties that receive data are indicated.
  • Unclear whether data are shared for analytics.
  • Unclear whether 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: 40%

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.
  • Unclear whether 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.
  • Unclear whether this product encrypts all data in transit.
  • Unclear whether all data are stored in an encrypted format.
  • Unclear whether this product provides notice in the event of a data breach.
Data Rights
SCORE: 50%

What rights do I have to the data?

  • Users can create or upload content.
  • Users do not retain ownership of their data.
  • Processes to access or review user data are available.
  • Unclear whether this product provides processes to modify data for authorized users.
  • Unclear whether the product provides a data-retention policy.
  • Processes for authorized users to delete data are available.
  • A user's data are 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: 25%

Is the data sold?

  • Personal information is not sold or rented to third parties.
  • Unclear whether 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.
  • Unclear whether user information that is shared is shared in an anonymous or de-identified format.
  • Unclear whether the company describes their de-identification process of user information.
  • Unclear whether 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: 20%

How safe is this product?

  • Unclear whether this product supports interactions between trusted users.
  • Users cannot interact with untrusted users, including strangers and/or adults.
  • Profile information must be not shared for social interactions.
  • Unclear whether personal information can be displayed publicly.
  • Unclear whether this product allows users to 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: 85%

Are there advertisements or tracking?

  • Personal information is not shared for third-party marketing.
  • Traditional or contextual advertisements are not displayed.
  • Personalised advertising is not displayed.
  • Data are not collected by third-parties for their own purposes.
  • Users's information is not 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 not provide promotional sweepstakes, contests, or surveys.
  • Unclear whether this product provides users the ability to opt-out of contextual, or personalised advertising.
  • Users can opt out or unsubscribe from marketing communications.
Parental Consent
SCORE: 35%

Can I provide parental consent?

  • Intended for children under 13.
  • Personal information from children under 13 years of age is collected.
  • Intended for parents or guardians.
  • Unclear whether company has 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.
  • Unclear whether parental consent is required before personal information is collected or disclosed.
  • Unclear whether this product limits parental consent with respect to third parties.
  • Unclear whether this product allows parents to withdraw consent for the further collection of their child's information.
  • Unclear whether this product deletes children's personal information if collected without parental consent.
  • Unclear whether this product provides parental consent notice and method for submission.
School Purpose
SCORE: 44%

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 not described.
  • Unclear whether additional rights or protections may be provided with an additional school contract.
  • Unclear whether the company is designated as a school official.
  • Unclear whether this product transfers parental consent obligations to the school or district.
Individual Control
SCORE: 20%

Can I control the use of my data?

  • Unclear whether 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.
  • Unclear whether company may combine data with additional data from third-party sources.
  • Unclear whether this product treats combined information as personally identifiable information (PII).
  • Unclear whether notice is provided if the context in which data are collected changes.
  • Unclear whether 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.
  • Unclear whether notice is 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.

Learn more about the SPR Read the report

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.