As a school administrator, protecting parent and student privacy is a top priority, especially at a time when so much of your data and curriculum lives online using. That’s why it is more important than every to understand the data privacy policies of every software you use within your school community.
Gokid Connect is a carpooling solution working with schools and districts across the country to provide a safe and reliable transportation alternative for students. Through our carpooling apps, we are able to seamlessly get kids to class ontime, while reducing traffic congestion at schools, alleviating parking challenges, traffic challenges and promoting a more sustainable alternative student transportation.
As a company entrusted with sensitive parent and student data, Gokid places the utmost importance and on data privacy and security. In this article, you will learn how GoKid works and the specific measures our platform employs to protect the privacy of students, families, and individual users.
How GoKid Empowers Schools with Secure Carpooling
Gokid Connect is a comprehensive carpooling platform designed specifically for schools and school districts. The carpooling apps allow parents with students in the same school to find other families to carpool with and it will then allow the carpool to streamline the process carpooling with modern technology tools. When implementing Gokid Connect, schools can choose to run an opt-out program, ensuring that all families are automatically included unless they explicitly choose not to participate, while still maintaining student data privacy.
Our Data Collection Policy
Gokid Connect only collects necessary information to provide the service. This includes:
- Parents first and last names (one parent is sufficient)
- Email and phone number of at least one parent
- Home address
- The associated students’ first and last names and grade
No other student information is mandatory. While parents have the option to allow their child to download the app on their phone so they can see who is picking them up, providing the student’s email or phone number is voluntarily. We encourage parents to upload a user profile for themselves and their children – photos will only be visible for other school parents that visit the schools’ map view and won’t be shared beyond the use of our apps..
FERPA and COPPA are not applicable with the GoKid app.
Since our service only allows parents to set up and manage carpools, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) are not applicable. All data that is collected is solely used for the purpose of creating and managing carpool groups and is only shared with third parties if needed to provide the service.
Sensitive Data is Kept Private
Gokid strives to keep sensitive information such as parents addresses, emails and phone numbers PRIVATE until a parent accepts an invitation to participate in a carpool from another school parent.
For example:
- While parents can search for a small sample of fellow school parents on a map, they are not able to see the address, phone number or email of these families prior to agreeing to carpool.
- Only after parents send an invitation to carpool and parents accept, are they able to see each others contact details (‘parent contract to carpool”)
Gokid Connect Map View: no identifiable data is shown
The GoKid Carpool App Data Usage Principals
Similar to collecting data, Gokid prioritizes safe data usage. Data that is collected for the purpose of creating and managing carpool groups is only shared with third parties if necessary to provide the service. Our third party technology providers are carefully selected and they are required to adhere to strict data usage protocols themselves.
Examples of third-party service providers:
- Google Maps shows where nearby parents live uses GPS and route mapping
- Sendgrid sends emails that invite parents to Gokid
- OneSignal sends parents welcome emails and updates on users about new features
- Google Cloud is our cloud storage provider
Important to note: Gokid Connect, which is the school app, allows parents to OPT-OUT, after receiving the invitation from their schools. in that case their information will be fully deleted from our system; parents can also sign in, then DELETE their information at any time, in which case their data will also be deleted from the system.
Gokid Connect for schools: After parents receive an invitation they can opt out.
Key User Agreements and Privacy Practices
Gokid’s Key User Agreements are drafted to employ the following essential practices to manage mobile app privacy risks and user/partner risk mitigation. The key user agreements are defined as:
- The Terms of Service
- The Data Security and Privacy Policy
- Security practices at Gokid.
Before creating an account, Gokid users need to agree to the Terms of Service.
The Gokid parent app, on the Appstore, Google Playstore or the webapp, requires parents to agree to the terms of service before getting access to the service.
GoKid’s Commitment to All Users
As a technology provider that services schools, districts and parents, Gokid takes data privacy seriously.
- Gokid does not collect information it does not need, enables consumer choice and opt-outs of data collection where possible, and provides secure transmission and storage of personal information and device identifiers.
- Gokid maintains technical control over the code supply chain of its mobile apps to ensure it is aware of all ways the apps collect, store, use, and share information.
- Gokid contractually requires all third parties involved in the development and deployment of the application to adhere to the company’s or more restrictive privacy practices.
Robust Data Security Measures
Gokid employs a multi-layered approach to data security, ensuring that:
- All parent and student data information is protected from unauthorized access or breaches. .
- Access to data is restricted to a limited number of authorized personnel.
- All access is logged and monitored for suspicious activity.
Gokid also conducts regular security audits and risk assessments to identify and address any potential vulnerabilities in its systems that could compromise student data privacy. In the event of a data breach, Gokid has a comprehensive incident response plan in place to quickly contain the situation, notify affected parties, and take steps to prevent future occurrences.
Transparency and User Control
Gokid believes in transparency and user control when it comes to data privacy. The company’s data privacy policy is written in clear, concise language, available to read on the Gokid website (in the footer menu) and outlines exactly what data is collected, how it is used, and with whom it may be shared. Users have the ability to view, update, and delete their personal information at any time through their profile in the Gokid webapp, IOS or Android app.
For parents that have joined via the Gokid Connect school program, parents can opt-out when receiving their school invitations, and Gokid provides clear instructions and forms for families who wish to exclude their children from the carpooling system, further emphasizing the importance of student data privacy. The company also offers a range of privacy settings and preferences, allowing users to control how their information is displayed to other carpool members.
Training and Accountability
To further prioritize student data privacy, Gokid requires all colleagues to undergo mandatory training on data security best practices and company policies. Only a limited number of colleagues are granted access to sensitive student data on a need-to-know basis, and all access is strictly monitored and controlled. Gokid also requires employees to sign confidentiality agreements..
Need more assurance?
Now that you have read GoKid’s Data and Privacy practices, you can see that student data privacy more than just a box to be checked. It is a core value that permeates every aspect of the company’s operations. By implementing robust security measures, maintaining transparency, and empowering users with control over their data, Gokid has established itself as a trusted partner for schools and families looking to streamline their carpooling processes while ensuring student data privacy.
If you’re a school administrator considering implementing a carpooling program, Gokid Connect offers a secure and user-friendly solution that prioritizes the privacy of your students and families. With the option to run an opt-out program, you can ensure maximum participation while still respecting the preferences of individual families and maintaining student data privacy.
For more information on Gokid’s student data privacy practices, or to explore how Gokid Connect can benefit your school community, feel free to review our Attorney Letter and please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
