“No Hate Tour” Event Prompts Concerns Over Student Data Sharing

Earlier this month, my District hosted a program sponsored by the “No Hate Tour,” which featured a stunt bike show in collaboration with the U.S. Marines.

Videos of the show and stunts were shared on social media, and it’s clear a great time was had by all.

At the end of the program, students were given a glossy promotional card with a QR code to “SCAN TO WIN $500.”

During the most recent BOE Meeting, a parent raised very legitimate concerns about these cards going directly into the hands of our vulnerable teens, where they are then prompted to give away their personal information.

So, I scanned the QR code.

The scan takes you to a page requesting the following information:
First name
Last name
Home address
Phone number
Email address
School name
Grade level
Birth month
Birth year
Who is your favorite BMX athlete

The form also includes a box to check if you are interested in being contacted by the U.S. Marines for recruitment.

Although FERPA does not protect students from sharing their own personally identifiable information, I had an expectation that my child would be kept safe at school, and that includes not being asked to share personal information online with a contracted vendor of the District.

To say I am disappointed is an understatement.

I have contacted ASA Entertainment, the company responsible for booking the “No Hate Tour,” to inquire about how student information is being stored and whether it will be shared.

As parents, we have a right to protect our children and to educate them about online safety. Those conversations continued in our home throughout the weekend. Kids are going to make mistakes, and we do so all the time as adults. But our schools share that responsibility, especially when they allow students to be asked for personal information.

So, if you start receiving targeted mail from unknown sources or get a knock on your door from the U.S. Marines, you will know where it all came from.

I reached out to my District and received a response that they are looking into the matter. I will update if and when I receive relevant information.