Overview
Blackboard provides instructors with the ability to provide students with course documents, online assignments and assessments, individual grades, and other learning materials in a single environment. Blackboard term's state users can provide comments in discussion forums and chats and can send messages to trusted peers and instructors. The terms state Blackboard will not sell or rent users' data, but the terms also say Blackboard does sell data to third parties under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). The terms say Blackboard does not use or disclose information about students for behavioral targeting of advertisements. However, Blackboard may place contextual advertising where permitted by their agreement with the educational institution. In addition, the terms say Blackboard may share users' personal information with re-sellers and other partners, who may use users' personal information for third-party marketing and targeted ads.
Blackboard’s terms state they employ a variety of physical, administrative, and technological safeguards designed to protect users' personal information against loss, misuse, and unauthorized access or disclosure. Lastly, Blackboard's terms state their collection, use, and sharing of student data is governed by their contracts with the educational institutions, the provisions of FERPA, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and other applicable laws that relate to the collection and use of personal information of students.
Blackboard can be accessed through its website, and is available for download at the iOS App Store, the Google Play Store, and the Microsoft Store. The Privacy Policy and Terms of Use used for this evaluation can be found on Blackboard’s website, iOS App Store, the Google Play Store, and the Microsoft Store. Additionally, other policies used for this evaluation include: Cookie Statement, Privacy Center, Privacy Shield, Security Policy, and California Privacy Notice. This evaluation only considers policies that have been made publicly available prior to an individual using the application or service.
Safety
Blackboard term's state users can provide comments in discussion forums and chats and can send messages to trusted peers and instructors. However, if users use Behind the Blackboard, Blackboard Community, or other websites with logins, the terms state Blackboard may use the contact details they provide to communicate with those users and to let users communicate with other Blackboard untrusted users. In addition, any content that users submit, post, or display may be viewed by other users, and the terms state Blackboard may monitor or control user content, but does not take any responsibility for posting of user content.
Privacy
Blackboard’s terms state they care about privacy and believe that privacy is a fundamental right for all individuals. The terms state Blackboard collects device, usage, and personal information from users that depends on the type of service used which can include: first name, last name, email address, student ID, account credentials, courses a student is enrolled in, credentials, audio and video recordings, and any other information including personal information users provide. In addition, Blackboard’s terms state they may collect data about student’s responses to quizzes, assignments and other course work, and files they submit or upload as well as their activity and actions within Blackboard.
The terms state Blackboard will not sell or rent users' data, but the terms also say Blackboard does sell data to third parties under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). The terms say Blackboard does not use or disclose information about students for behavioral targeting of advertisements. However, Blackboard may place contextual advertising where permitted by their agreement with the educational institution. In addition, the terms say Blackboard may share users' personal information with re-sellers and other partners, who may use users' personal information for third-party marketing and targeted ads. The terms also indicate educational institutions may enable cloud profiles or social profiles, which allow students to connect their Blackboard profile with their Facebook and Twitter account and use information from those accounts for their Blackboard profile. Educators should be aware these social media companies may recognize users and collect information about their visit to Blackboard, and they may use cookies or other tracking technologies.
Blackboard’s terms specify they may use third-party cookies from services such as Google AdWords, Facebook Business, LinkedIn Campaign Manager, and Twitter Ads to show users relevant ads. Blackboard also allows third-parties to access users’ personal information to make sure they see relevant ads and campaigns on other websites. Blackboard receives information from third-party services about which of their ads or campaigns users have interacted with. In addition, Blackboard's terms state they may display advertising and other advanced features through Google Analytics, such as Remarking with Google Analytics, Google Display Network Impression Reporting, the DoubleClick Campaign Manager Integration, and Google Analytics Demographics and Interest Reporting. The terms state these third party advertising tools allow Blackboard to collect information about users’ visits in order to serve them targeted advertisements based on their browsing history and interests on other websites across the Internet, and on other devices they may use. However, the terms clearly state Blackboard does not use or disclose personal or usage information about students that they collect for behavioral targeting of advertisements to students.
Security
Blackboard’s terms state they employ a variety of physical, administrative, and technological safeguards designed to protect users' personal information against loss, misuse, and unauthorized access or disclosure. The terms also state Blackboard has dedicated information security programs and works hard to continuously enhance their technical and operational security measures. In addition, Blackboard’s terms specify they have implemented appropriate physical, electronic and managerial procedures to help safeguard and secure personal information from loss, misuse, unauthorized access or disclosure, alteration or destruction. Blackboard's terms further state they use firewalls, data use, and access limitations for their personnel and vendors and physical access controls to their facilities.
Lastly, Blackboard’s terms state personal information will be accessed only by those who have a need to know to provide the products and services to educational institutions and improve them. For instance, the terms state Blackboard's technical teams and client support teams may have access to user's information when they set up the product for a educational institution or when software or database changes are required for support and maintenance purposes.
Compliance
The terms state Blackboard provides educational products and services to schools and other educational institutions. Through the provision of these products and services, Blackboard's terms state they collect personally identifiable information from or about students. Blackboard's terms specify that they consider student data to be strictly confidential and in general do not use student data for any purpose other than improving and providing our products and services to the educational institution or on the educational institution’s behalf. In addition, Blackboard's terms state their collection, use, and sharing of student data is governed by their contracts with the educational institutions, the provisions of FERPA, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and other applicable laws that relate to the collection and use of personal information of students. Lastly, because contracts may exist between Blackboard and educational institutions, if users have any questions about reviewing, modifying, or deleting personal information of a student, they should contact their educational institution directly.
Overall Score
Every privacy rating includes an overall score. A higher score (up to 100%) means the product provides more transparent privacy policies with better practices to protect user data. The score is best used is as an indicator of how much additional work a person will need to do to make an informed decision about a product.
| Basic Score | Full Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Assessment | 77 | 61 |
Concerns
The privacy evaluation process summarizes the policies of an application or service into concern categories based on a subset of evaluation questions that can be used to quickly identify particular practices of a vendor’s policies. These concerns are composed of evaluation questions that can be used to calculate scores relative to that concern.
| Concern | Basic Score | Full Score |
|---|---|---|
| Data Collection: Protecting personal information | 83 | 45 |
| Data Sharing: Protecting data from third parties | 100 | 90 |
| Data Security: Protecting against unauthorized access | 67 | 60 |
| Data Rights: Controlling rights to data | 88 | 85 |
| Data Sold: Preventing sale of data | 75 | 60 |
| Data Safety: Promoting responsible use | 67 | 45 |
| Ads & Tracking: Prohibiting the exploitation of users' decision making process | 50 | 55 |
| Parental Consent: Protecting children’s personal information | 100 | 65 |
| School Purpose: Following student data privacy laws | 100 | 81 |
| Individual Control: Controlling data use | NA | 45 |
Statutes
Each statute or regulation is associated with one or more evaluation questions. As such, we can calculate scores for each statute or regulation using only those questions associated with the statute or regulation. Each specific statute or regulation's score serves as an indirect proxy indicating the likelihood of the application or service satisfying all of its compliance obligations.
| Statute | Basic Score | Full Score |
|---|---|---|
| California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA) | 81 | 70 |
| Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) | 74 | 63 |
| Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) | 86 | 64 |
| Student Online Personal Information Protection Act (SOPIPA) | 75 | 71 |
| General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) | 87 | 67 |
| The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) | 73 | 67 |
Privacy Policy Details
1: Transparency
1.1: Policy Version
- Privacy policies do indicate a version or effective date.
- Privacy policies indicate a change log or past policy version is available.
1.2: Policy Notice
- Users are notified if there are any material changes to the policies.
- Privacy policies indicate the method used to notify a user when policies are updated.
1.3: Policy Changes
- Unclear whether users are notified prior to any material changes to the policies.
- Changes to the policies are effective immediately and continued use of the product indicates consent.
1.4: Policy Coverage
- Privacy policies indicate the products that are covered by the policies.
1.5: Privacy Contact
- Users can contact the company about any privacy policy questions, complaints, or material changes to the policies.
1.6: Policy Principles
- Privacy policies do indicate privacy principles, layered notices, or a table of contents.
1.7: Policy Language
- Privacy policies are available in multiple languages.
1.8: Intended Use
- Intended for children under 13.
- Unclear whether intended for teens.
- Intended for adults over 18.
- Unclear whether intended for parents or guardians.
- Intended for students.
- Intended for teachers.
2: Focused Collection
2.1: Data Collection
- Personally identifiable information (PII) is collected.
- The categories of collected personally identifiable information are indicated.
- Geolocation data are collected.
- Unclear whether this product collects biometric or health data.
- Unclear whether this product collects interactions, behaviors, or usage analytics data.
- Sensitive data are collected.
- Data is automatically collected.
2.2: Data Source
- Personal information or education records are collected from preK-12 students.
- Personal information from children under 13 years of age is collected.
2.3: Data Excluded
- Unclear whether specific types of personal information excluded from collection.
- Unclear whether specific types of collected information are excluded from the privacy policy.
2.4: Data Limitation
- Collection or use of data is limited to product requirements.
3: Data Sharing
3.1: Data Shared With Third Parties
- Collected information is shared with third parties.
- The categories of information shared with third parties are indicated.
3.2: Data Use by Third Parties
- The purpose for sharing a user's personal information with third parties is indicated.
- Data are shared for analytics.
- Data are shared for research and/or product improvement.
- Personal information is shared for third-party marketing.
3.3: Data Not Shared With Third Parties
- Unclear whether there are specific categories of information that are not shared with third parties.
3.4: Data Sold to Third Parties
- Personal information is not sold or rented to third parties.
3.5: Third-Party Data Acquisition
- Personal information about users is obtained from third parties.
3.6: Third-Party Links
- Links to third-party external websites are not age-appropriate.
3.7: Third-Party Data Access
- Third parties are authorized to access a user's information.
3.8: Third-Party Data Collection
- Personal information of users is collected by a third party.
3.9: Third-Party Data Misuse
- Unclear whether personal information can be deleted from a third party.
3.10: Third-Party Service Providers
- Third-party services are used to support the product.
- The roles of third-party service providers are indicated.
3.11: Third-Party Affiliates
- The categories of third parties that receive data are indicated.
3.12: Third-Party Policies
- Links to privacy policies of third-party companies are available.
3.13: Third-Party Data Combination
- Company may combine data with additional data from third-party sources.
- Unclear whether data shared with third parties can be combined with other data.
3.14: Third-Party Authentication
- Third-party login is supported.
- Personal information from third-party login providers is collected.
- Personal Information is shared with third-party login providers.
3.15: De-identified or Anonymized Data
- User information that is shared is shared in an anonymous or de-identified format.
- The company describes their de-identification process of user information.
3.16: Third-Party Contractual Obligations
- Contractual limits are placed on third-party data use.
- Unclear whether contractual limits prohibit third parties from reidentifying or de-identified information.
4: Respect for Context
4.1: Data Use
- Use of information is limited to the purpose for which it was collected.
- The context or purpose for which data are collected is indicated.
4.2: Data Combination
- Unclear whether this product treats combined information as personally identifiable information (PII).
4.3: Data Notice
- Unclear whether notice is provided if the context in which data are collected changes.
4.4: Data Changes
- Unclear whether consent is obtained if the practices in which data are collected change.
4.5: Policy Enforcement
- Accounts may be terminated if users engage in any prohibited activities.
5: Individual Control
5.1: User Content
- Users can create or upload content.
5.2: User Consent
- Unclear whether opt-in consent is requested from users at the time personal information is collected.
5.3: Remedy Process
- A grievance or remedy mechanism is available for users to file a complaint.
5.4: Data Settings
- Users can control the use of their information through privacy settings.
5.5: Data Disclosure
- Users can opt out from the disclosure or sale of their data to a third party.
- 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.
5.6: Intellectual Property
- Users retain ownership of their data.
- A copyright license is claimed to data or content collected from a user.
- Unclear whether any copyright license to a user's data is limited in scope or duration.
6: Access and Accuracy
6.1: Data Access
- Processes to access or review user data are available.
- Methods are available to restrict who has access to data.
- Processes to review student data are available for the school, parents, or students.
6.2: Data Integrity
- Unclear whether the company attempts to maintain the accuracy of data they collect.
6.3: Data Correction
- Processes to modify data are available for authorized users.
- Processes for the school, parents, or students to modify inaccurate student information are available.
- Unclear whether the time period for the company to modify inaccurate data is indicated.
6.4: Data Retention
- A data-retention policy is available.
- Exceptions to the data retention policy exist.
6.5: Data Deletion
- Data are deleted when no longer necessary.
- Unclear whether a user's data are deleted upon account cancellation or termination.
- Processes to delete user data are available.
- Processes for authorized users to delete data are available.
- Unclear whether the time period for the company to delete data is indicated.
6.6: Data Portability
- Processes to download user data are available.
- Unclear whether a user can assign an authorized account manager or legacy contact.
7: Data Transfer
7.1: Data Handling
- 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.
7.2: Transfer Request
- Unclear whether user information can be deleted prior to its transfer to a third party.
7.3: Onward Contractual Obligations
- Third-party transfer is contractually required to use the same privacy practices.
8: Security
8.1: User Identity
- Unclear whether a user's identity is verified with additional personal information.
8.2: User Account
- Account creation is required.
- Managed accounts are available.
- Unclear whether multi-factor account protection is available.
8.3: Third-Party Security
- Unclear whether third-parties with access to information are required to provide the same security protections as the company.
8.4: Data Confidentiality
- Reasonable security practices are used to protect data.
- Employee or physical access to user information is limited.
8.5: Data Transmission
- All data in transit are encrypted.
8.6: Data Storage
- All data are stored in an encrypted format.
- The company is clear what jurisdiction a user's personal information is subject to.
8.7: Data Breach
- Unclear whether this product provides notice in the event of a data breach.
8.8: Data Oversight
- Unclear whether this product performs data-privacy and/or security-compliance audits.
9: Responsible Use
9.1: Social Interactions
- 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.
9.2: Data Visibility
- Personal information can be displayed publicly.
- Users can control how their data are displayed to others.
9.3: Monitor and Review
- 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.
- Social interactions between users are moderated.
- Unclear whether social interactions of users are logged.
9.4: Report Content
- Unclear whether users can filter or block inappropriate content.
- Unclear whether users can report abuse or cyberbullying.
9.5: Internet Safety
- Unclear whether the company provides links to resources that support safe and appropriate social interactions.
10: Advertising
10.1: Company Communications
- A user can receive service- or administrative-related communications from the company.
10.2: Traditional Advertising
- Traditional or contextual advertisements are displayed.
10.3: Behavioral Advertising
- Personalised advertising is displayed.
10.4: Ad Tracking
- 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 created and used for personalised advertisements.
10.5: Filtered Advertising
- Unclear whether ads displayed to children are filtered for inappropriate content.
10.6: Marketing Communications
- The company can send marketing messages.
- Unclear whether this company provides promotional sweepstakes, contests, or surveys.
10.7: Unsubscribe
- Users can opt out of contextual, or personalised advertising.
- Users can opt out or unsubscribe from marketing communications.
10.8: Do Not Track
- Unclear whether this product responds to "Do Not Track" or other opt-out mechanisms.
- The company does provide a method for users to opt-out from third-party tracking.
11: Compliance
11.1: Children Under 13
- 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.
- Account creation is not restricted or prohibited for users under 13 years of age.
11.2: Students in K–12
- 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.
- Additional rights or protections may be provided with an additional school contract.
- Unclear whether the company is designated as a school official.
11.3: Parental Consent
- 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.
- Children's personal information is deleted if collected without parental consent.
- Parental consent notice and method for submission are provided.
- Parental consent obligations are not transferred to the school or district.
11.4: Legal Requirements
- The legal jurisdiction that applies to the laws governing the policies is indicated.
- A user is required to waive the right to a jury trial, or settle any disputes by arbitration.
- A user is required to waive the right to join a class action lawsuit.
- A company will disclose personal information to law enforcement.
11.5: Certification
- The company has signed a privacy pledge or received a privacy certification.
11.6: International Laws
- A user's data are subject to International data transfer or jurisdiction laws.
- The company has indicated it is a Data Controller or Data Processor.