The South Orange-Maplewood School District (SOMSD) is considering installing Gaggle software on district computers. Gaggle is a computer surveillance company that essentially creates spyware for schools. Its computer algorithm flags information deemed "dangerous," which is then reviewed and possibly reported to school administrators and/or the police by the company's moderators, most of whom have no experience in child development, mental health, or tech safety.

If its software is installed, its moderators, school administrators, and potentially even the police would have access to all communication on school accounts and district Chromebooks, whether that be school assignments, emails, or posts on Google Classroom. The Gaggle algorithm discriminates against LGBTQ+ students by flagging “lesbian,” “queer,” and “gay” as dangerous, essentially outing students who communicate about their sexuality to moderators and school administrators. Gaggle uses Google Suite and Microsoft 365, both of which are easily hacked, giving malicious actors access to innocent students’ data. According to Buzzfeed News, students who opt out of Gaggle cannot use school services, such as their school email, district Chromebooks, and Canvas, preventing them from receiving notifications and school assignments from their teachers; the software’s installation would wreak logistical havoc. The installation of Gaggle would disproportionately affect low income students, as they are the most likely to use district Chromebooks instead of personal computers.

The purchase and installation of this software would be an egregious violation of SOMSD's pledge for inclusiveness and equity. If we---the students, parents, and teachers of a community that prides itself on diversity and individualism---do not speak up now, students may be subjected to constant surveillance by a company that violates our personal privacy for its financial gain.

Please see the following resources for more info on this pressing issue:         

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/carolinehaskins1/gaggle-school-surveillance-technology-education                 

https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/3/23385024/trevor-project-gaggle-lgbtq-youth-student-surveillance-software-privacy

https://fairplayforkids.org/get-gaggle-out-of-schools-today/#:~:text=Gaggle%27s%20algorithm%20is%20biased%2C%20putting%20kids%20in%20harm%27s%20way&text=While%20they%20claim%20that%20they,to%20school%20authorities%20or%20police 

https://cdt.org/insights/report-online-and-observed-student-privacy-implications-of-school-issued-devices-and-student-activity-monitoring-software/