Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the risk of behavioural data collected via Google Classroom and school-managed Google accounts being utilised to refine algorithmic profiles on consumer-facing Alphabet services, such as YouTube.

The protection of personal data is of fundamental importance, particularly as schools increasingly adopt new and emerging technologies. The department has published a data protection toolkit which helps guide schools through key data protection activity, including compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018.

The department’s Generative artificial intelligence (AI) and data protection in schools guidance supports schools with understanding their data protection responsibilities and how to use generative AI safely and lawfully, with a focus on protecting pupils’ personal data. It should be read alongside existing UK data protection law (Data (Use and Access) Act 2026, UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018) and wider safeguarding expectations.

The guidance makes clear that while AI can be useful for teaching, schools remain legally responsible for any personal data shared with or processed by these tools, including data about pupils, staff and families. Schools are advised to understand how AI and technology products handle data and avoid inputting personal or sensitive information unless risks are properly managed.