- January 23, 2025
- FOXITBLOG
Picture this: You’re an educator, administrator, or developer working in the education space, juggling the increasing demands of protecting student data while keeping your digital tools compliant. Laws like FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) ensure student privacy, but they come with their own nuances. It’s not always clear which laws apply to what tools, and where responsibility falls. That’s where Foxit comes in—aligning with FERPA, not COPPA, and streamlining compliance for schools and organizations. Let’s break it all down.
What is FERPA?
FERPA is the backbone of student privacy in the United States. This federal law gives parents and students control over educational records and protects sensitive information from unauthorized access.
- Who it covers: Any institution that receives federal funding, from public K-12 schools to universities.
- What it protects: Grades, test results, disciplinary records, contact information, and other personally identifiable information (PII).
- Compliance requirements: Schools must obtain parental or student consent (when applicable) before sharing records, keep data secure, and maintain detailed records of access.
What is COPPA?
COPPA, meanwhile, protects the digital privacy of children under 13. Its focus is on safeguarding information collected by online platforms and apps—not educational institutions directly.
- Who it covers: Commercial websites, apps, and online services that collect data from children under 13.
- What it protects: Name, address, email, geolocation, and other identifiers collected through online services.
- Compliance requirements: Businesses must notify parents, obtain verifiable consent, and limit data collection to only what’s necessary.
Why Foxit Aligns With FERPA and Not COPPA
Foxit’s suite of solutions, including Foxit PDF Editor and eSign, is built with educational institutions in mind—making FERPA compliance effortless for schools and universities. Here’s why Foxit aligns with FERPA but doesn’t fall under COPPA:
- Designed for Education, Not Children’s Apps: Foxit’s tools are used by schools, districts, and universities to manage records and documents securely. These are institutional tools, not commercial services targeted at children.
- FERPA-First Features: From secure document sharing to role-based access controls, Foxit’s solutions help institutions protect student records and comply with FERPA regulations.
- No Direct Data Collection From Children: Unlike apps covered by COPPA, Foxit tools do not collect information directly from students under 13.
How Foxit Supports FERPA Compliance
FERPA compliance can feel overwhelming, but Foxit makes it easier with these key features:
- Secure Document Handling: Encryption ensures student data remains private, whether it’s shared internally or externally.
- Access Controls: Role-based permissions limit who can view or edit sensitive records.
- Audit Trails: Detailed logs track every interaction with a document, making it easy to prove compliance during audits.
- Redaction Tools: Quickly redact PII from documents to protect student privacy.
Understanding the Difference for Your Institution
If you’re an educator or IT administrator wondering which law applies, here’s the key takeaway:
- Use FERPA as your guiding principle for managing student records within an educational context.
- Think about COPPA if you’re developing or using apps or online services that collect data directly from children.
Foxit’s focus is on empowering educational institutions to secure their workflows and meet FERPA requirements—not managing data for apps or services aimed at children under 13.
Why FERPA Compliance Matters More Than Ever
With the rise of digital learning tools, safeguarding student data has never been more critical. FERPA compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties—it’s about building trust with students, parents, and staff.
Privacy and Productivity Go Hand in Hand
FERPA and COPPA each serve an essential role in protecting privacy in education, but they apply in different ways. By aligning with FERPA, Foxit empowers schools and universities to protect student records while streamlining workflows.
Looking for a FERPA-compliant solution that makes student record management secure and simple? Explore how Foxit’s tools can help your institution prioritize privacy without sacrificing productivity.