Barley works unless my location is given out at all times
Each time after I return home from school, I receive notifications stating that my school has notified that “I’m not compliant.” When I go to the app and look through the settings, everything seems to be fine apart from the fact that the only thing which is not is the location services.
The app is required to use my location occasionally, such as when it is active. However, it always makes me think that it requires the location at any time. Unless I provide it with this information, the app states that “I’m not compliant” and my phone can still remain in school mode while I’m already at home.
This is totally absurd. I shouldn’t give The Commons App the location access all the time to let it operate properly. As the app is meant to operate only with location access occasionally, it should do this. And yet, it’s not merely a matter of irritation toward an application. Security of EdTech software products is a pressing problem right now.
According to the Netwrix survey results, 47% of educational institutions had been under a cyberattack against their cloud infrastructure within the year before the research. (PR Newswire) Additionally, The U.S. Government Accountability Office identified thousands of K–12 students that had been affected by data breaches, including the disclosure of highly sensitive information about the students. (Government Accountability Office)
However, how can students be required to grant such unnecessary, constant access to their locations when location data is the type of information that is meant to be secure? In case of any security breaches at all, I surely wouldn’t like to see the history of my locations in the hands of the company due to the inability of The Commons App to function with the required permissions.
“Not compliant” notifications worsen an already annoying system of school restrictions and requirements instead of helping students to navigate through those issues easier.
Make the system of location permissions work. Make the system of school restrictions work. Make the unnecessary compliance notifications work. The students shouldn’t have to suffer from violation
Bad
Response from developer
Thanks for sharing your concerns. We want to clarify a few inaccuracies here. The Commons does not track students’ location 24/7. Your phone’s operating system uses its built-in location functionality to monitor the school geofence. The Commons receives only when the device enters or leaves the school zone and the time. We do not receive or store GPS coordinates or movement history. The claim that an upcoming update will allow The Commons to access whether students are texting is also incorrect. The Commons does not read or access students’ messages or personal communications. If School Mode is turning on incorrectly or you’re experiencing unusual battery drain, please contact our support team so we can investigate the specific device and issue.
Terrible
Response from developer
Thanks for the feedback. Each school determines which apps and websites are available while School Mode is active, including educational tools. If something you need for class, like a math or academic resource, is being blocked, please let your school know so they can review whether it should be added to their approved access.
No calls available
Response from developer
Thanks for letting us know. The Commons does not block phone calls during School Mode, so if you're unable to make a call, something isn't working as intended. In some cases, we've found that other settings or apps configured on a phone can interfere with calling or messaging, and these issues are typically straightforward to resolve. Please reach out to our support team through the Commons app or our website so we can help troubleshoot your device directly. Schools determine whether text messaging is available during School Mode, but phone calls should remain available.
Sketchy school app
P.S. To apple please remove any app that asks for your VPN because it’s most likely trying to get your information Especially this one!
Response from developer
Thanks for raising these concerns. We want to clarify a few important points. The Commons uses location permission only so the phone can recognize when a student arrives at or leaves school and automatically turn School Mode on or off. The Commons and the school do not receive a student’s GPS location or location history. The VPN is used to block restricted online content during School Mode. It is not used to monitor browsing history or collect the content of a student’s internet activity. The Commons also does not install viruses or malware on a device. We take student privacy and security seriously and have undergone independent third-party security testing. More information about how our technology works and what data we do and do not collect is available in our Privacy Policy and support materials.
Does not work
Bad app
Hate it
Why?
Sketchy
Also I don’t think much thought was put into this idea. Why are the only options texting and calling? Not even music? Some kids have adhd and music severely helps them focus. There was no thought put into the cons of this app.
Why did I need to answer a little questionnaire before? I saw a developer response saying they don’t sell data but then tell me why you need information from me other than my location? THE WHOLE THING IS LOCATION BASED, NO OTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED, WHY?
I’m telling you, in the future this is gonna get exposed or something or like a huge data leak is gonna happen.
Sucks
WE hate it
Kinda hijacking your device
Bad
school
HORRIBLE
Doesn’t even do a thing but make people to not want to download the app, Then to see the ratings on this app screams its an bad app, then for people to say it tracks your phone and have your location?, why would that ever sit right with a KIDS and IN a kids mind, honestly as a Senator I wouldn’t even think about letting your kid download this foolishness app. Have a nice day people.
I wrote a whole thing, but it got deleted. Here’s the TLDR
1.most if not all positive reviews are from BEFORE the app was implemented. Even if 90% of the bad reviews are 5 year olds review bombing this, (grow up and give a reason other than “it’s trash”) you need positive reviews that are still critical. In addition, listen to the problems instead of just replying. Saying you don’t track location outside of school hours doesn’t work when you reply to someone who claims that they were tracked outside of school hours. You are equally trustworthy in the eyes of a student, so invite them to contact you and say that you are investigating the problem.
2. EdTech security is overall very poor. 47% of large EdTech companies have a data breach, which is too high of a number to put one on a personal device with your location and personal documents. You cannot change that statistic, so prove that you are secure, tell us the 3rd party software you rely on, so that we can know that you aren’t using cheap and not secure options. And no, saying that you do not save our data is not a valid escape from this critique. Many companies say that, even when they keep your data, for example Persona (age verification) which said that they deleted your data after about a week, but didn’t, and it all got leaked anyway.
3. TOS needs more. There is not a clause that says you wont sell my data. Ad it because if you won’t sell anyones data, it should be no problem. Otherwise the app is inherently untrustworthy to anyone who knows anything about digital privacy.
I am biased, as a student who self regulates, i want you to fail. But as somebody who wants the teachers not to struggle with phones, and as someone who wants others to not worry about their digital security, I would also like you to improve in the ways that actually matter for student safety.
Wow TLDR is still way too long
Response from developer
Thank you for taking the time to share such thoughtful feedback. Student trust and privacy are incredibly important to us, and we appreciate the specific concerns you've raised. A few points we want to clarify: our Privacy Policy explicitly states that we do not sell student personal information or use it for targeted advertising. Our mobile app, administrative platform, and cloud infrastructure have also undergone independent third-party security testing, and we continue to invest in strengthening our security and privacy practices. We also agree that student voices need to be part of this conversation. We've conducted focus groups and feedback sessions with students, families, educators, and schools, and we're continuing to work with our school partners to create more opportunities for students to provide direct feedback. We'd genuinely welcome the opportunity to hear more from you. Our support team can be reached through the Help Center on our website and directly within the Commons app. If you're willing to reach out, we'd be happy to learn more about your experience and any specific concerns you've encountered. Thank you again for engaging with us so thoughtfully.
