GoGuardian

GoGuardian was founded in 2015 and is based in Los Angeles, CA.{{Cite web |last=Fan |first=Ryan |date=2021-01-20 |title=I Monitor My Students With a Chrome App — and It's Made a Huge Difference |url=https://onezero.medium.com/i-monitor-my-students-with-a-chrome-app-and-its-made-a-huge-difference-99ed875a783f |access-date=2022-03-09 |website=OneZero |language=en |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514031429/https://onezero.medium.com/i-monitor-my-students-with-a-chrome-app-and-its-made-a-huge-difference-99ed875a783f |url-status=live }} Its feature set includes computer filtering, tracking, monitoring, and management, as well as usage analytics, activity flagging, and theft recovery for ChromeOS devices.{{Cite web|title = GoGuardian Builds Chromebook Security for the Digital Classroom|url = https://www.prweb.com/releases/goguardian_builds_chromebook_security_for_the_digital_classroom/prweb12365654.htm|access-date = 2015-09-03|archive-date = August 28, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220828075034/http://www.prweb.com/releases/goguardian/chromebooksecurity/prweb12365654.htm|url-status = live}} GoGuardian also offers filtering functionality for third-party tools such as YouTube.{{Cite web|title = GoGuardian: Chromebook Monitoring, Filtering, and Anti-Theft for Schools|url = http://www.edtechroundup.org/reviews/goguardian-chromebook-monitoring-filtering-and-anti-theft-for-schools|date = Oct 14, 2014|website = |publisher = EdTech Roundup|access-date = September 13, 2020|archive-date = September 16, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200916211341/http://www.edtechroundup.org/reviews/goguardian-chromebook-monitoring-filtering-and-anti-theft-for-schools|url-status = live}}

In June 2015, GoGuardian reported it was installed in over 1,600 of the estimated 15,000 school districts in the United States.{{Cite web|title = Scalability and Infrastructure|url = http://blog.goguardian.com/scalability-and-infrastructure|date = June 30, 2015|website = |publisher = GoGuardian|access-date = September 13, 2020|archive-date = September 19, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150919235010/http://blog.goguardian.com/scalability-and-infrastructure|url-status = live}}

In January 2015, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) chose GoGuardian to support their 1:1 device rollout program. This provides LAUSD device tracking and grade-level-specific filtering, and facilitates compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA).{{Cite web |title=LAUSD Gets GoGuardian's Suite Of Solutions To Implement Chromebooks |url=http://www.ischoolguide.com/articles/6146/20150114/lausd-goguardian-chromebooks-google-ou-integration-anti-theft-for-school-standard-network-filters-opendns-google-console.htm |date=Jan 24, 2015 |publisher=iSchool Guide |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709170624/http://www.ischoolguide.com/articles/6146/20150114/lausd-goguardian-chromebooks-google-ou-integration-anti-theft-for-school-standard-network-filters-opendns-google-console.htm |archive-date=2015-07-09 }}

In September 2015, the company released GoGuardian for Teachers, a tool to monitor student activity and control student learning.{{Cite web|title = GoGuardian Launches Chromebook Management Tool for Teachers|url = http://thejournal.com/articles/2015/09/09/goguardian-launches-chromebook-management-tool-for-teachers.aspx|date = Sep 9, 2015|website = |publisher = The Journal|access-date = September 13, 2020|archive-date = September 16, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200916190738/https://thejournal.com/Articles/2015/09/09/GoGuardian-Launches-Chromebook-Management-Tool-for-Teachers.aspx|url-status = live}}{{Cite web |title=GoGuardian Announces Nationwide Rollout of Digital Learning Solution |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/goguardian-announces-nationwide-rollout-digital-165100625.html/ |date=Sep 10, 2015 |publisher=Yahoo Finance |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916170635/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/goguardian-announces-nationwide-rollout-digital-165100625.html |archive-date=2015-09-16 }}{{Cite web|url=https://thejournal.com/Articles/2015/09/09/GoGuardian-Launches-Chromebook-Management-Tool-for-Teachers.aspx|title=GoGuardian Launches Chromebook Management Tool for Teachers|last=Meyer|first=Lisa|date=September 9, 2015|website=The Journal|publisher=|access-date=April 18, 2016|archive-date=May 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508141910/https://thejournal.com/Articles/2015/09/09/GoGuardian-Launches-Chromebook-Management-Tool-for-Teachers.aspx|url-status=live}} In January 2016, GoGuardian announced the launch of Google Classroom integration for GoGuardian for Teachers.{{Cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160222005625/en/GoGuardian-Announces-Google-Classroom-Integration|title=GoGuardian Announces Google Classroom Integration {{!}} Business Wire|website=www.businesswire.com|date=22 February 2016|access-date=2016-04-19|archive-date=May 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507144223/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160222005625/en/GoGuardian-Announces-Google-Classroom-Integration|url-status=live}}

In May 2018, GoGuardian was acquired by private equity firm Sumeru Equity Partners and appointed Tony Miller to their board of directors.{{Cite press release|url = https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180524005369/en/GoGuardian-Announces-Strategic-Investment-Sumeru-Equity-Partners|title = GoGuardian Announces Strategic Investment from Sumeru Equity Partners; Appoints Education Veteran Tony Miller to Board of Directors|date = 24 May 2018|access-date = September 13, 2020|archive-date = September 16, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200916221533/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180524005369/en/GoGuardian-Announces-Strategic-Investment-Sumeru-Equity-Partners|url-status = live}}

In August 2018, GoGuardian launched Beacon, a software system installed on school computers that analyzes students' browsing behavior to alert people concerned about students at risk of suicide or self-harm.{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/08/26/goguardian-beacon-suicide-prevention-filter-schools/|title=School internet filter maker launches suicide risk detector|date=August 26, 2018 |access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=September 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923072109/https://www.engadget.com/2018/08/26/goguardian-beacon-suicide-prevention-filter-schools/|url-status=live}}

In November 2020, GoGuardian merged with Pear Deck.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-19 |title=GoGuardian and Pear Deck Merge to Expand K-12 Classroom Management Offerings and Drive Greater Engagement and Effective Digital Learning |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201119005874/en/GoGuardian-and-Pear-Deck-Merge-to-Expand-K-12-Classroom-Management-Offerings-and-Drive-Greater-Engagement-and-Effective-Digital-Learning |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=www.businesswire.com |language=en |archive-date=December 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204192500/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201119005874/en/GoGuardian-and-Pear-Deck-Merge-to-Expand-K-12-Classroom-Management-Offerings-and-Drive-Greater-Engagement-and-Effective-Digital-Learning |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Slobe |first=Jake |title=Pear Deck acquired by California-based edtech company {{!}} Clay & Milk |url=https://clayandmilk.com/2020/11/25/pear-deck-acquired-by-california-based-edtech-company/ |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=clayandmilk.com |date=November 25, 2020 |archive-date=December 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204192501/https://clayandmilk.com/2020/11/25/pear-deck-acquired-by-california-based-edtech-company/ |url-status=live }}

GoGuardian products allow teachers and administrators to view and snapshot students' computer screens, close and open browser tabs, and see running applications.{{cite web |title=GoGuardian Teacher |url=https://www.goguardian.com/teacher/ |website=www.goguardian.com |access-date=2 October 2020 |archive-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922090240/https://www.goguardian.com/teacher/ |url-status=live }} GoGuardian can collect information about any activity when users are logged onto their accounts, including data originating from a student's webcam, microphone, keyboard, and screen, along with historical data such as browsing history.{{cite web |title=Privacy Policy for Product Users |url=https://www.goguardian.com/product-privacy/ |website=www.goguardian.com |access-date=2 October 2020 |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021185012/https://www.goguardian.com/product-privacy/ |url-status=live }} This collection can be performed whether students connect from school-provided or personally-owned devices.{{cite web |title=GoGuardian Admin |url=https://www.goguardian.com/admin/ |website=www.goguardian.com |access-date=2 October 2020 |archive-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922085804/https://www.goguardian.com/admin/ |url-status=live }} Parents have raised privacy concerns over this data collection, claiming the software is spyware.{{Cite web |last=Treanor |first=John |date=2020-09-08 |title=Spyware or safety: Is 'GoGuardian' on CCSD students' devices sharing personal information? |url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/spyware-or-safety-is-goguardian-on-ccsd-students-devices-sharing-personal-information |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=KSNV |language=en |archive-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826000848/https://news3lv.com/news/local/spyware-or-safety-is-goguardian-on-ccsd-students-devices-sharing-personal-information |url-status=live }}

In 2016, researcher Elana Zeide raised the concern that the use of GoGuardian software for suicide prevention, though "well-meaning", could result in "overreach". Zeide further noted that legitimate personal reasons could motivate a student to wish to search for sensitive information in private. According to Zeide, this concern is compounded by the fact that school devices may be the only devices for lower-income students. American School Counselor Association ethics chair Carolyn Stone said that GoGuardian's ability to track web searches conducted at home is "intrusive" and is "conditioning children to accept constant monitoring" as normal.{{cite news |last1=Kamenetz |first1=Anya |title=Software Flags 'Suicidal' Students, Presenting Privacy Dilemma |agency=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/03/28/470840270/when-school-installed-software-stops-a-suicide |access-date=28 January 2020 |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926195145/https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/03/28/470840270/when-school-installed-software-stops-a-suicide |url-status=live }}

Until October 2015, GoGuardian software was able to track keystrokes and remotely activate student webcams.{{cite web |title=SCHOOL POLICIES AND REGULATIONS EXPOSE MASSACHUSETTS STUDENTS TO RISK OF SERIOUS PRIVACY VIOLATIONS |url=https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/school-policies-and-regulations-expose-massachusetts-students-risk-serious-privacy |publisher=American Civil Liberties Union |access-date=28 January 2020 |archive-date=April 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411184753/https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/school-policies-and-regulations-expose-massachusetts-students-risk-serious-privacy |url-status=live }} GoGuardian said that the features were removed as part of its "ongoing commitment to student privacy."

GoGuardian technical product manager Cody Rice stated in 2016 that schools had control over GoGuardian's collection and management of data and that no client had complained about privacy.

GoGuardian faced scrutiny by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) in 2023, over the inconsistent filtering presented by it. The EFF has presented problems with GoGuardian Beacon being used to replace social workers and other mental health professionals in a school landscape. The EFF has also stressed the possibility of using the data collected by GoGuardian to track and to advertise to children under the age of 13.{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Jason |date=2023-10-30 |title=How GoGuardian Invades Student Privacy |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/10/how-goguardian-invades-student-privacy |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Probe of school surveillance software finds privacy abuses, inaccurate results |url=https://therecord.media/goguardian-student-surveillance-eff-report |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=therecord.media |language=en}} GoGuardian has also faced criticism for flagging LGBTQ keywords.{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Jason |date=2023-06-22 |title=Student Monitoring Tools Should Not Flag LGBTQ+ Keywords |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/06/student-monitoring-tools-should-not-flag-lgbtq-keywords |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |language=en}}

• Inc. 500
• Deloitte's Fast 500
• In 2018, GoGuardian was named as the 27th fastest growing technology company in North America.{{Cite web |title=2018 Technology Fast 500 award winners {{!}} Deloitte US |url=https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/technology-media-and-telecommunications/articles/fast500-winners.html |access-date=2018-12-26 |website=Deloitte United States |language=en |archive-date=November 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115201705/https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/technology-media-and-telecommunications/articles/fast500-winners.html |url-status=live }}
• Forbes 30 Under 30
• In January 2016, two of the company's co-founders, Aza Steel and Advait Shinde, were named to Forbes magazine's annual "30 Under 30" list in the Education category.{{Cite web |title=30 Under 30 2016: Education |url=https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30-2016/education/ |access-date=2016-01-22 |website=Forbes |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916232828/https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30-2016/education/ |url-status=live }}
• International Design Awards Gold: GoGuardian Teacher{{Cite web |title=International Design Awards - Architectural, Interior, Fashion, Product, Graphic Design Competition - International Design Awards |url=https://idesignawards.com/winners/index.php?compNum=IDA+15 |access-date=2018-12-26 |website=idesignawards.com |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203011625/https://idesignawards.com/winners/index.php?compNum=IDA+15 |url-status=live }}
• 2016 Awards of Excellence Tech and Learning{{Cite web |last= |date=28 December 2016 |title=2016 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE |url=https://www.techlearning.com/resources/2016-awards-of-excellence |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924182955/https://www.techlearning.com/resources/2016-awards-of-excellence |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |access-date=2018-12-26 |website=TechLearningMagazine |language=en}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.eff.org/wp/school-issued-devices-and-student-privacy Spying on Students: School-Issued Devices and Student Privacy] a study by the Electronic Frontier Foundation
• [https://idesignawards.com/single-winner/9-20355-18/0/ GoGuardian Beacon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322154347/https://idesignawards.com/single-winner/9-20355-18/0/ |date=March 22, 2021 }} listed as a 2018 "Silver in Education / Behavioral correction tools" by International Design Awards
• [https://www.forbes.com/sites/larrymagid/2016/04/14/straddling-the-line-between-spying-and-protecting-students/ School Software Walks The Line Between Safety Monitor And 'Parent Over Shoulder'] by Larry Magid writing in Forbes

Category:Internet safety

Category:Child safety

Category:Companies based in Los Angeles

Category:Software companies based in California

Category:Security companies of the United States

Category:Computer security software

Category:Software companies of the United States