The German state of Hesse was the first place to pass a law about data privacy.
Now it's become the first in Germany to ban Microsoft Office 365 in schools.
Some are concerned about how the birthplace of data privacy is actually hurting the people born within it.
Making Microsoft illegal for students: legitimate threat or harmful overreaction?
The Local Germany explained how Hesse reached the conclusion to ban the use of Microsoft Office 365 by students:
The State's Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (HBDI) is objecting to schools using Office 365 because Microsoft stores data in the U.S. and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) prohibits data processors from storing data outside the EU without first obtaining users' consent.
The new law stems from concerns over "possible access by U.S. authorities."
But, if you've ever spoken to a student, you know that Office 365 is a vital tool for learning and creativity. And The Local Germany also made this point well:
"Students mostly would be storing documents in the cloud, and the FBI has better things to do than read homework assignments of schoolchildren."
The decision, for some, shows an inability by Hesse authorities to match the needs of citizens in terms of innovation and privacy.
Finding a balance is never easy, especially with cybersecurity. But many feel that this German state missed the mark.
Do we risk the same thing in the United States?
While Hesse was the first to implement data privacy laws, it certainly won't be the last.
In the U.S., many states are considering legislation of their own. California and New York have both taken matters into their own hands with the Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the SHIELD Act.
SecureWorld covered both laws and answered common questions about how they address data privacy.
[RELATED: 3 Things Every Business Should Know: California's New Privacy Law]
[RELATED: 3 Things You Should Know About the New York SHIELD Act]
Let's just hope these states don't make it harder for students to tackle their homework.
