Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the classroom, from lesson planning to personalized support. But as AI tools become more powerful, so do the privacy risks, especially when used by or around students.
For schools, it’s no longer enough for edtech companies to promise privacy. They need to prove it.
That’s why Google’s Gemini for Education earning the Common Sense Privacy Seal marks an important milestone.
With AI, Privacy and Trust Are More Important Than Ever
AI tools can be incredibly helpful for educators, offering new ways to engage students, streamline work, and enhance learning. But their power also makes privacy essential.
Any data shared with an AI tool — whether a prompt, a document, or a question — can be stored, analyzed, reused or shared in ways students (and parents) may not expect or want. No school wants its students’ data used to train models, stored indefinitely, or exposed through a breach.
Privacy is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s the foundation of trust — and the cost of entry for modern learning tools.
Google’s Investment in Privacy Goes Beyond Compliance
Gemini for Education was designed from the ground up with student safety, administrator control, and data security in mind.
Unlike many generative AI tools, Gemini ensures:
- No student data is used to train AI models
- No prompts are reviewed by humans
- All content stays within the school’s domain
- Districts have admin controls to manage usage and delete data
Google notes that it also meets the requirements of FERPA, COPPA, and provides enterprise-grade security — even for its free education products. This includes audit controls, data retention settings, and role-based access.
“Google is delivering best practice privacy protections to schools and proving that companies can innovate responsibly at scale. That’s why they earned the Common Sense Privacy Seal.”
— Daphne Li, CEO, Common Sense Privacy
Even Google, one of the most recognized brands in the world, saw value in earning the Common Sense Privacy Seal. By collaborating with Common Sense Privacy, Google went beyond compliance — aligning with best practices that matter to families and school leaders alike.
Customers Are Choosing Gemini Because of Privacy and Trust
Districts across the country aren’t just adopting Gemini because it’s powerful, they're choosing it because they trust how it handles student data.
“With the Gemini app, we've empowered the entire institution with private and secure generative AI at scale and, importantly, with appropriate safety protections.”
— Matthew Gunkel, CIO, University of California Riverside
"One of the key things we do is look to make sure to get tools that protect our students' data. Google Gemini was the best solution for us. The data protections were exactly what we needed. Everything is protected."
— Aaron Jaramillo, Senior Director of Educational Technology, APS (Albuquerque Public School)
These are two of the largest school districts in the country — and they’re setting the tone for how others evaluate AI tools.
The message is clear: privacy isn’t a differentiator — it’s a requirement.
“We’re proud to earn the Common Sense Privacy Seal. It reflects our commitment to building tools that support educators and protect students. Common Sense is a brand schools trust — and that trust matters deeply to us.”
— Jennie Magiera, Global Head of Education Impact at Google.
The Common Sense Privacy Seal Gives Customers Confidence at a Glance
The Common Sense Privacy Seal is more than a badge. It’s a third-party review of real privacy practices, based on a detailed policy review and a 200+ point rubric.
For busy educators and IT leaders, the seal offers quick reassurance that a product has been thoroughly vetted and aligns with best-in-class protections. This is why Google highlighted the Common Sense Privacy Seal in their recent ISTE announcements.
“The seal helps by having an expert third party review the privacy policies of Google products to get the full picture of Gemini for Education’s privacy practices. This analysis assures parents and teachers that their children are truly protected when using Gemini at school.”
— Jennie Magiera, Global Head of Education Impact at Google.
“The Privacy Seal gives schools a simple but powerful signal that this product has been reviewed by people who understand both tech and student privacy. Common Sense has a long history of evaluating educational tools, so customers know that any company with the seal has been thoroughly evaluated.”
— Daphne Li, CEO, Common Sense Privacy
A New Standard for AI in Education — For Today and Tomorrow
Google’s certification represents more than a milestone. It’s a signal that responsible innovation is possible — even at global scale.
As AI evolves, Common Sense Privacy will help companies like Google stay ahead of new laws, adapt to changes, and maintain the trust they’ve built with educators and families.
And for the rest of the edtech industry, the takeaway is simple:
Both established Ed Tech Leaders and new innovators are earning the Common Sense Privacy Seal and so can you. Learn more about the Common Sense Privacy Seal, or request a free evaluation to see how close your company is to earning the seal.
This article is part of a series spotlighting early recipients of the Common Sense Privacy Seal and how they’re investing in student privacy. Read more from CSP Seal recipient Prodigy Education.
