Investigation into Google ChromeOS and Chrome browser
In July 2021, it was agreed with Google that an education-specific version will be available for ChromeOS and Chrome browser. Institutions will thus remain in control of the data when using ChromeOS and Chrome browser on student and staff Chromebooks (managed by the institution).
Where are we now (November 2021)?
education-specific version becomes available. Institutions thus remain in control of the data when using ChromeOS and Chrome browser on (the institution-managed) Chromebooks of students and staff.
In the coming period, SURF and SIVON (in collaboration with SLM Rijk) will be consulting with Google on a version of:
- ChromeOS on Chromebooks and
- Chrome browser where Google is the processor.
The agreements made around Workspace for Education form the basis for this. Parallel to the talks, a technical and legal investigation is being conducted into the current version of ChromeOS and the Chrome browser. We informed institutions about this earlier. We will include the results of this study in the negotiations with Google. This will allow us to provide clarity on the use of ChromeOS and the Chrome browser within the institutions sooner.
How does the process work?
Previously, the intention was to complete the full DPIA, publish it, and then engage with Google. However, this would take more time. Now that the agreements around Workspace and its role as a processor are the starting point, we expect to be able to reach agreements more quickly. As a result, we hope to announce both the results of the investigation and any necessary corrective measures and agreements we have made with Google early next year.
SURF and SIVON believe it is important to provide institutions with clarity on the use of ChromeOS and the Chrome browser on devices they manage as soon as possible. Therefore, we choose to bring the results of the technical legal investigation directly into the discussions with Google. In this way, we expect to present the results of the negotiations to institutions sooner.
As with Workspace, we will also provide tools and information for implementation. If possible, we will still communicate the (preliminary) results of our discussions with Google this calendar year.
