The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionised the global education industry. There has been an increase in the use of educational technology (Ed-tech) platforms that incorporate AI in African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. These platforms have been recognized for their contributions to improving the quality of learning and teaching, with AI aiding both teachers and students in their respective endeavours. In addition, AI has been lauded for its potential to improve students’ knowledge and learning habits, as well as to create a more individualised approach to education. With the adoption of data protection frameworks in African countries and the need to protect the right to privacy, the impact of AI and related technologies on children’s rights and well-being, particularly in terms of privacy, should be carefully considered.

This project analysed the privacy policies and safeguards afforded to children on various AI-enabled Ed-tech platforms, i.e. platforms whose software employs AI technologies such as machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, reinforcement learning, and other subfields of AI. The analysed Ed-tech platforms were developed and deployed on the African continent and were intended for use by legally defined children. In order to determine compliance, the data protection measures, specifically the privacy policies of the platforms, will be compared to national data protection laws governing the processing of children’s data. The study found that 50% of the platforms analysed (primarily applications from Western and Southern Africa) have privacy policies and 50% of the platforms analysed lack publicly accessible privacy policies, even after registration. Additionally, only 4 of the examined platforms discuss children and their rights, as well as whether or how parents or guardians can actively participate by providing consent. Based on these findings, it is evident that a discussion on parental consent, safeguards implemented to protect children’s privacy rights in the age of artificial intelligence, and children’s participation in their right to privacy is necessary.