Privacy Policies of the Top 100 Educational Apps: A Transparency and Ethics Analysis

As digital transformation in education accelerates, mobile applications have become fundamental to modern learning environments. However, the massive collection of student data by these platforms raises critical ethical concerns regarding privacy and transparency. This study aims to evaluate the privacy policies of the top 100 educational applications on major digital marketplaces to determine their alignment with ethical standards and global data protection regulations such as GDPR and COPPA. The research utilizes a qualitative content analysis and document analysis methodology. The selected applications are evaluated based on four primary dimensions: (1) accessibility and readability, (2) clarity of data collection purposes, (3) disclosure of third-party data sharing, and (4) specific protections for minor users. To assess readability, the Flesch–Kincaid scale is employed to determine whether these legal documents are comprehensible to the average parent or student. The study expects to find a "transparency gap" in the EdTech industry. Many apps use difficult legal terms that make it hard for users to know how their personal information is being used, especially with new AI features. The results of this research will show the current state of data ethics in education. Finally, the study offers suggestions for developers and schools on how to make digital learning safer and more transparent. By focusing on these issues, the research helps to protect the digital rights of learners in the 21st century.