Liberty University Student Data Sharing Lawsuit Advances in Virginia Court

• A federal judge rejected Liberty University's initial motion to dismiss claims that the university shared students' sensitive information with digital advertising giants, but a new motion to dismiss is pending.
• The lawsuit alleges that the university transmitted students' grades and prayer requests to third parties, including Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Alphabet.
• The case highlights the importance of protecting students' sensitive information in higher education under federal laws FERPA and ECPA, both of which remain in force.
• Liberty University may face increased scrutiny for sharing sensitive student data with third-party advertisers.

A federal judge in Virginia has rejected Liberty University's motion to dismiss claims that the university shared students' sensitive information with digital advertising giants. The lawsuit, filed by graduate student Kyler Lyons, alleges that the university transmitted students' grades and prayer requests to third parties, including Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Alphabet. Lyons seeks $5 million in damages under federal claims brought under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA). The judge's decision allows the lawsuit to proceed, however, a new motion to dismiss is currently pending, and discovery in the case has been stayed until that motion is resolved. This legal development could potentially prompt colleges and universities to review their data-sharing practices and ensure compliance with federal regulations.

The lawsuit highlights the importance of protecting students' sensitive information in higher education. FERPA regulates the release and access of education records, including students' names, date of birth, and address, and remains a cornerstone of privacy for students and families. ECPA also protects electronic communications from unauthorized access and is still in force. The university's alleged actions may have compromised students' trust in communicating with educational providers and caused emotional distress related to the release of sensitive information. As a trusted institution, Liberty University is expected to safeguard students' personal data, not share it with third-party advertisers.

This development may prompt colleges and universities to review their data-sharing practices and ensure compliance with federal regulations. The lawsuit's success could lead to increased scrutiny of institutions that share sensitive student information with third-party advertisers, potentially resulting in changes to data-sharing policies and procedures. As students increasingly rely on digital platforms for education, it is essential for institutions to prioritize transparency and protect students' personal data from unauthorized access.

This development may prompt colleges and universities to review their data-sharing practices and ensure compliance with federal regulations, potentially leading to increased scrutiny of institutions that share sensitive student information with third-party advertisers.

Source: Original reporting via Courthouse News Service