Virtual classrooms and real harms: Remote learning at U.S. Universities

Shaanan Cohney, Ross Teixeira, Anne Kohlbrenner, Arvind Narayanan, Mihir Kshirsagar, Yan Shvartzshnaider, Madelyn Sanfilippo

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Universities have been forced to rely on remote educational technology to facilitate the rapid shift to online learning. In doing so, they acquire new risks of security vulnerabilities and privacy violations. To help universities navigate this landscape,we develop a model that describes the actors, incentives, and risks, informed by surveying 49 instructors and 14 administrators at U.S. universities. Next, we develop a methodology for administrators to assess security and privacy risks of these products. We then conduct a privacy and security analysis of 23 popular platforms using a combination of sociological analyses of privacy policies and 129 state laws, alongside a technical assessment of platform software. Based on our findings, we develop recommendations for universities to mitigate the risks to their stakeholders.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 17th Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security, SOUPS 2021
PublisherUSENIX Association
Pages653-673
Number of pages21
ISBN (Electronic)9781939133250
StatePublished - 2021
Event17th Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security, SOUPS 2021 - Virtual, Online
Duration: Aug 9 2021Aug 10 2021

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 17th Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security, SOUPS 2021

Conference

Conference17th Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security, SOUPS 2021
CityVirtual, Online
Period8/9/218/10/21

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality

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