[K12OSN] OT: Google Apps

[Nils Breunese]

David Hopkins wrote:

> On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 11:54 AM, Dan Young <dyoung at mesd.k12.or.us>  
> wrote:
>> On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 8:35 AM, Will Hatch <whatch at anwsu.org> wrote:
>>> Since google docs is not encrypted, isn't if a violation of  
>>> FERPA?  I'd like to use it, but our tech director tells me that it  
>>> is not secure, and since student names/information could be part  
>>> of the documents, that it can't be used.  I would like to hear  
>>> Google's feelings on this, since they seem to be interested in  
>>> education.
>>
>> It is encrypted automatically for all users when the Google Apps
>> administrator ticks a box forcing SSL on:
>> http://www.google.com/support/a/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=100181
>
> A quick google leads to
> http://www.google.com/support/a/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=60762
> where one answer says that any administrator (implied Google
> administrator?) can access any account per their terms of service.
> Encryption or not, this could be an issue (especially if foreign
> nationals have access to US citizens/students data and vice-versa?)
>
> It is convenient, and useful but it is not what I would call secure
> given the terms of service that google requires you to agree to.
>
> Just my (uninformed) two cents.

I believe they are referring to the administrators for the Google Apps  
account for your domain. And that's no different from having root  
access to your own servers.

 From that same FAQ: http://www.google.com/support/a/bin/answer.py?answer=106887

----
Are Google employees reading my emails and looking at my documents?

Absolutely not. Google employees are not reading your email or other  
content.
----

Nils Breunese.