In May 2023, a class action lawsuit was filed against the College Board, alleging that the non-profit organization illegally sold student data collected during the PSAT. The lawsuit claims that the College Board obtained the data through “unfair and deceptive means” and then sold it to third-party companies without the students’ consent.
Allegations
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege that the College Board:
- Collected personal information from students without their knowledge or consent
- Failed to adequately disclose its data sharing practices
- Sold the data to third-party companies that used it for marketing and other purposes
- Profited from the sale of the data without sharing the proceeds with the students
Damages
The plaintiffs are seeking damages for the students, including:
- Monetary compensation for the value of their personal information
- Injunctive relief to prevent the College Board from further selling student data
Status of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit is currently in its early stages. The College Board has denied the allegations and has filed a motion to dismiss the case.
Potential Impact
If the plaintiffs are successful, the lawsuit could have a significant impact on the College Board. The organization could be forced to pay millions of dollars in damages and could be required to change its data sharing practices.
Additional Information
- The lawsuit is not the first time that the College Board has been accused of misusing student data. In 2019, the organization was fined $4.3 million by the Federal Trade Commission for violating children’s online privacy laws.
- The lawsuit is being brought by two law firms: The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and The Law School at the University of California, Berkeley.
Conclusion
The College Board PSAT lawsuit is a significant case that could have far-reaching implications for the organization and for student privacy. The outcome of the case will be closely watched by educators, parents, and students alike.
