Currently, IFFPS is working on a new privacy campaign advocating for safe online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been concern about software used by students transitioning to online learning as schools and private vendors are not always transparent about what information is being collected, and how it is protected (Illinois Coronavirus Updates, 2020). IFFPS has raised awareness around the potential dangers students might face on Zoom, Google Meet, Clearview AI, and, most importantly, GoGouardian, which is a widely used educational technology company in Illinois. Potential risks include collecting information on student appearances, location, households, and the over monitoring of students (Illinois Families for Public Schools, 2020b)(Illinois Coronavirus Updates, 2020). While this may not be an issue for many students, undocumented students or students that have survived domestic violence may be placed at greater risk.

https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-during-emergencies/food-safety-and-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

To advocate for this issue, IFFPS had been updating their website and sharing valuable information with parents, such current laws around student privacy and how to protect student information (Illinois Families for Public Schools, 2020b). For example, IFFPS posted information on FERPA and COPPA, explaining how student information such as video conferences are classified as student records and are therefore protected under FERPA (Illinois Families for Public Schools, 2020b). They also explained that, under these laws, it is legal for parents to request to see and delete student information. Links to legal assistance and access to contracts made between Chicago public schools and private vendors was also provided to give parent the ability to hold their schools accountable. Along with this, Cresswell has been speaking to the press, such as NBC Chicago and Chicago Sun Times, to spread awareness about this issue and alert parents to potential risks (Issa, 2020)(Illinois Coronavirus Updates, 2020). Finally, IFFPS is beginning to organize a group of parent advocates for student data protection to help engage and mobilize more parents and spread awareness (Illinois Families for Public Schools, 2020).