- Kamini Mathai
- TNNUpdated: Jun 16, 2022, 21:56 IST IST
You think you child is simply attending an online class. But what's happening in the background is far more sinister. Data is being collected which can be misused in many ways – advertising, ransomware attacks, identity theft and more
Imagine a 12-year-old logging into the virtual classroom of an education technology (edtech) platform for an online maths tutorial. While doodling his Venn diagrams, he wanders off to check the news on what his favourite footballer is up to or stops to drool over a new pair of sneakers on Instagram. All the while unaware that his every click is being tracked to reveal a treasure trove of information on his likes and interests, home address, and family members, which can then be used to influence him.
The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in e-learning taking off in a big way with children across the globe tapping into education apps and portals. But, the education apps and portals have been tapping into children as well. More specifically, their personal data. And since their portals can be easily breached, there lies the threat.
The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in e-learning taking off in a big way with children across the globe tapping into education apps and portals. But, the education apps and portals have been tapping into children as well. More specifically, their personal data. And since their portals can be easily breached, there lies the threat.
