Can the admins of my school-issued device see my Microsoft files if the system is based on Google?

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Can the admins of my school-issued device see my Microsoft files if the system is based on Google?

Jay Goodenough 20

I'm currently using a school-issued device, and I write a lot of fanfiction / short stories. Previously I've been using Google Docs [as it comes pre-installed on my device] with my school-provided Google account; but some of the content I've been writing about has been 'flagged' by my school's security system [they use Securly]. It's caused quite a few issues, and I don't want to continue getting in trouble because of my hobby for writing; especially considering I have no other way other than physical writing, which is a little bit of a hassle. I cannot use a different Google account on this device- the parameters don't allow me to sign into or out of any application that I wasn't already signed in on, meaning I'm not signed into any account on my browser, only on apps like Drive, Gmail, Classroom, and Docs.

Now, I also have a Microsoft account. This escapes the "no-other-Google-account" issue. My worry is that, because this device is issued and controlled by Securly and my school admins, they can still access my Word files despite it not being connected to Google in any way, other than the fact I'm using Microsoft Word in my browser and not the app. Is it possible for them to do so, and if so, are there any platforms I can use that won't be filtered or flagged by Securly?

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Answer 1

Since it appears that Securly actually uses website filtering to monitor the network traffic to/from Internet servers including Google [Docs, Drive], YouTube and others, it's likely that any external website including Microsoft's will be monitored as well, which if you're using a Chromebook would be literally any app you use since nothing really operates locally on those devices.

This means there's simply no way to be certain that anything done on the device even from home isn't being monitored, which based on the Securly sales information is exactly what they promise to schools, so I suspect that's what they're doing even as you browse these pages at Microsoft.

If you're an employee, then trying to bypass such systems is stupid, either talk to the IT support or possibly a related teacher and staff relations group about what policies they have and what is allowed, or simply give up using your school device or in fact any devices from the school itself, since those are typically all filtered, and instead use your own device(s) from home for your writing.

The product was flagged by a school in the Milwaukee School district for its privacy invading design, among others who've commented on this privacy issue, so those school systems that actually use it likely don't care about your privacy, but only by asking will you learn whether this is the policy and whether you should even attempt this, since it's quite likely to be a threat to your employment if you do it anyway.

I'm a technical person by background and wouldn't even bother trying from what I've read. Get your own device and use it offline while writing if you're operating at school, always remembering that while online your website use is being monitored, along with any public online documents or postings you've made on social media or possibly other sites if you post your stories online as well. Keep those completely separate in a personal account at Microsoft, for example, with no public or even private access while operating at school, since that might likely be tracked and filtered to protect the school.

Rob