Fort Bend ISD recently implemented GoGuardian, a software that monitors students’ online activity, including browsing history, IP addresses, and physical location. This petition raises concerns about GoGuardian's methods, and the potential security and privacy risks associated with its use, calling for a review and proper safeguards to protect students. 

GoGuardian saves students’ activity and may share it with third-party service providers that assist with “business-related functions” (Section 4 of GoGuardian's Privacy Policy). This raises significant concerns about student privacy, such as sensitive information—including browsing habits, app usage, and other personal data—could potentially be accessed by entities outside the school system. Even if the sharing is intended for administrative purposes, it increases the risk of misuse, accidental exposure, or commercialization of students’ personal information. Students and parents have a right to know how their data is being used and to maintain control over who has access to it. 

The software can track the physical location of students even when they are using school-issued devices off-campus or outside school hours. While the devices belong to the school, monitoring students beyond school grounds raises serious privacy concerns and should require explicit consent from both students and parents. Installing the software without obtaining such consent infringes on personal autonomy and blurs the line between school oversight and private life, making this level of tracking invasive and ethically questionable. 

Even if GoGuardian only shares data with supply chain partners and affiliates (Section 4 of GoGuardian’s Privacy Policy), data security is a major concern. Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigation Report, which analyzed 22,000 incidents and 12,195 confirmed breaches, found a 100% increase in attacks involving third parties, including vendors and supply chain partners. This highlights the significant risk that sensitive student data collected by GoGuardian could be exposed or compromised, potentially leading to identity theft, unauthorized use, or other privacy violations. Schools must prioritize secure handling of student information and limit unnecessary third-party access. 

We urge Fort Bend ISD to remove GoGuardian from all school-issued Chromebooks immediately. Students’ privacy, autonomy, and security must be respected, and monitoring software like GoGuardian is not an acceptable solution. We call the district to explore safer alternatives that protect students while supporting a productive learning environment. 

By signing this petition, you are demanding that FBISD put an end to invasive surveillance and prioritize the dignity and privacy of every student. Let’s make it clear: school laptops should educate, not monitor.