Department of Education Sued Following Markup Investigation Into FAFSA Data Shared with Facebook

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="ie=edge"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <title>Department of Education Sued Following Markup Investigation Into FAFSA Data Shared with Facebook – The Markup</title> <meta name="description" content="Advocates want answers after The Markup found the department sharing student data with Meta" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/static/dist/main.a4e2b03b.css"> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/static/img/social-icons/favicon.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/static/img/social-icons/apple-touch-icon.png" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" href="/feeds/rss.xml" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://themarkup.org/pixel-hunt/2024/07/26/department-of-education-sued-following-markup-investigation-into-fafsa-data-shared-with-facebook" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Department of Education Sued Following Markup Investigation Into FAFSA Data Shared with Facebook – The Markup" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Advocates want answers after The Markup found the department sharing student data with Meta" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1723267822_reduced-1200x628.jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@themarkup"> <meta name="twitter:creator" content="@themarkup"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Department of Education Sued Following Markup Investigation Into FAFSA Data Shared with Facebook – The Markup"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1723267822_reduced-1200x600.jpg"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Advocates want answers after The Markup found the department sharing student data with Meta"/> <meta property="article:section" content="Pixel Hunt"> <script type="text/javascript"> var STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY = "pk_live_N1jzERrJAAx1c1H4ab6yG8T600Ku2TXda4"; var SCRIPT_ROOT = ""; var split_tests = {"endpoint_url": "/_split-tests", "nonce": "a02080025e", "onload": null, "tests": [{"click_content": "", "click_selector": ".header-stripe__link", "conversion": "click", "id": 80427, "noop": true, "variant": 0}]}; </script> </head> <body> <div class="wrapper " id="top"> <section id="menu" class="site-menu js-site-menu" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="site-menu-inner"> <nav class="menu-list menu-list--content" aria-label="Series"> <h3 class="investigation-header">Investigations and Tools</h3> <ul class='menu-nav'> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="/series/amazons-advantage" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Amazon’s Advantage</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="https://themarkup.org/series/organ-failure" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Organ Failure</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="/series/blacklight" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Blacklight</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="/series/pixel-hunt/" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Pixel Hunt</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="/series/citizen-browser" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Citizen Browser</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="https://themarkup.org/series/privacy" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Privacy</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="https://themarkup.org/series/languages-of-misinformation" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Languages of Misinformation</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="https://themarkup.org/series/still-loading" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Still Loading</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="https://themarkup.org/series/machine-learning" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Machine Learning</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="https://themarkup.org/series/working-for-an-algorithm" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Working for an Algorithm</a> </li> </ul> <form id="search-form" class="site-search site-search--navy js-site-search search-is-empty" action="/search" role="search"> <label for="search" class="visually-hidden" aria-hidden="true">Search term</label> <div class='site-search__input-wrapper'> <input name="s" type="search" id="search" class="site-search__input js-search-input" placeholder="Search" aria-label="Search input"> </div> <div class='button button--navy'> <button class="site-search__submit button__label" type="submit" aria-controls="search" aria-label="Submit"> <svg><use xlink:href="#icon-search"></use></svg> </button> </div> </form> </nav> <nav class="menu-list menu-list--information" aria-label="Pages"> <ul class="menu-nav"> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="/about" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">About Us</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="/donate/" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Donate</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="/awards" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Awards</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="/tips" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Have a Tip?</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="/team/" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Team</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="https://themarkup.org/series/show-your-work" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Show Your Work</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="https://themarkup.org/jobs" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Jobs</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="/newsletter" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Newsletters</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="/events" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link">Events</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <nav class="menu-list menu-list--follow" aria-label="Social media"> <ul class='menu-nav'> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teammarkup/" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link menu-nav__link--facebook"> <svg><use xlink:href="#icon-facebook"></use></svg> Facebook</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="https://twitter.com/themarkup" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link menu-nav__link--twitter"> <svg><use xlink:href="#icon-twitter"></use></svg> Twitter</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/the.markup/" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link menu-nav__link--instagram"> <svg><use xlink:href="#icon-instagram"></use></svg> Instagram</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="https://mastodon.themarkup.org/@themarkup" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link menu-nav__link--mastodon" rel="me"> <svg><use xlink:href="#icon-mastodon"></use></svg> Mastodon</a> </li> <li class="menu-nav__item"> <a href="https://themarkup.org/feeds/rss.xml" class="menu-nav__link site-header-link menu-nav__link--rss-feed"> <svg><use xlink:href="#icon-rss-feed"></use></svg> RSS Feed</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </section> <svg width="0" height="0" display="block" visibility="hidden" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <defs> <style> .cls-1 { fill: #fff; } .cls-2 { fill: #ef3961; } .cls-3 { mix-blend-mode: multiply; } .cls-4 { isolation: isolate; } </style> <linearGradient id="arrow-linear-gradient" x1="0" y1="49.5" x2="388.5" y2="49.5" gradientUnits="userSpaceOnUse"><stop offset="0" stop-color="#fbd7de"/><stop offset="0.8" stop-color="#ff335f"/></linearGradient> <symbol id="icon-facebook" viewBox="0 0 16 32"> <path d="M9.959 32H3.318V15.998H0v-5.514h3.318v-3.31C3.318 2.676 5.191 0 10.515 0h4.431v5.516h-2.77c-2.073 0-2.21.771-2.21 2.209l-.009 2.76h5.019l-.587 5.514H9.958v16.002h.001z" /> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-twitter" viewBox="0 0 36 32"> <path d="M35.005.564a14.425 14.425 0 01-4.691 1.867C28.97.934 27.049.001 24.924.001c-4.078 0-7.383 3.445-7.383 7.694 0 .603.061 1.191.188 1.752-6.136-.321-11.577-3.381-15.222-8.04a7.921 7.921 0 00-.999 3.87c0 2.668 1.304 5.024 3.286 6.406a7.193 7.193 0 01-3.347-.962v.095c0 3.729 2.544 6.84 5.927 7.545a6.935 6.935 0 01-1.948.271c-.475 0-.94-.046-1.388-.137.938 3.056 3.666 5.284 6.899 5.343-2.529 2.065-5.714 3.293-9.173 3.293-.596 0-1.185-.033-1.762-.106 3.269 2.182 7.151 3.456 11.322 3.456 13.587 0 21.012-11.725 21.012-21.894 0-.335-.004-.667-.019-.995a15.312 15.312 0 003.685-3.985 14.29 14.29 0 01-4.241 1.211A7.65 7.65 0 0035.007.563z" /> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-instagram" viewBox="0 0 16 16"> <path d="M8 0c2.173 0 2.445.01 3.298.048.852.039 1.433.174 1.942.372a3.92 3.92 0 011.417.923c.445.444.719.89.923 1.417.198.509.333 1.09.372 1.942C15.99 5.555 16 5.827 16 8s-.01 2.445-.048 3.298c-.039.852-.174 1.433-.372 1.942a3.921 3.921 0 01-.923 1.417c-.444.445-.89.719-1.417.923-.509.198-1.09.333-1.942.372C10.445 15.99 10.173 16 8 16s-2.445-.01-3.298-.048c-.852-.039-1.433-.174-1.942-.372a3.922 3.922 0 01-1.417-.923A3.921 3.921 0 01.42 13.24c-.198-.509-.333-1.09-.372-1.942C.01 10.445 0 10.173 0 8s.01-2.445.048-3.298C.087 3.85.222 3.269.42 2.76c.204-.526.478-.973.923-1.417.444-.445.89-.719 1.417-.923C3.269.222 3.85.087 4.702.048 5.555.01 5.827 0 8 0zm0 1.441c-2.136 0-2.39.009-3.233.047-.78.036-1.203.166-1.485.276-.374.145-.64.318-.92.598-.28.28-.453.546-.598.92-.11.282-.24.705-.276 1.485-.038.844-.047 1.097-.047 3.233s.009 2.39.047 3.233c.036.78.166 1.203.276 1.485.145.374.318.64.598.92.28.28.546.453.92.598.282.11.705.24 1.485.276.844.038 1.097.047 3.233.047s2.39-.009 3.233-.047c.78-.036 1.203-.166 1.485-.276.374-.145.64-.318.92-.598.28-.28.453-.546.598-.92.11-.282.24-.705.276-1.485.038-.844.047-1.097.047-3.233s-.009-2.39-.047-3.233c-.036-.78-.166-1.203-.276-1.485a2.48 2.48 0 00-.598-.92 2.479 2.479 0 00-.92-.598c-.282-.11-.705-.24-1.485-.276-.844-.038-1.097-.047-3.233-.047zm0 9.226a2.667 2.667 0 100-5.334 2.667 2.667 0 000 5.334zm0-6.775a4.108 4.108 0 110 8.216 4.108 4.108 0 010-8.216zm5.23-.162a.96.96 0 11-1.92 0 .96.96 0 011.92 0z" /> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-mastodon" viewBox="0 0 16 16"> <path d="M11.19 12.195c2.016-.24 3.77-1.475 3.99-2.603.348-1.778.32-4.339.32-4.339 0-3.47-2.286-4.488-2.286-4.488C12.062.238 10.083.017 8.027 0h-.05C5.92.017 3.942.238 2.79.765c0 0-2.285 1.017-2.285 4.488l-.002.662c-.004.64-.007 1.35.011 2.091.083 3.394.626 6.74 3.78 7.57 1.454.383 2.703.463 3.709.408 1.823-.1 2.847-.647 2.847-.647l-.06-1.317s-1.303.41-2.767.36c-1.45-.05-2.98-.156-3.215-1.928a3.614 3.614 0 0 1-.033-.496s1.424.346 3.228.428c1.103.05 2.137-.064 3.188-.189zm1.613-2.47H11.13v-4.08c0-.859-.364-1.295-1.091-1.295-.804 0-1.207.517-1.207 1.541v2.233H7.168V5.89c0-1.024-.403-1.541-1.207-1.541-.727 0-1.091.436-1.091 1.296v4.079H3.197V5.522c0-.859.22-1.541.66-2.046.456-.505 1.052-.764 1.793-.764.856 0 1.504.328 1.933.983L8 4.39l.417-.695c.429-.655 1.077-.983 1.934-.983.74 0 1.336.259 1.791.764.442.505.661 1.187.661 2.046v4.203z" /> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-chevron" viewBox="0 0 14 8"> <path d="M14 1.3L12.6 0 7 5.3 1.4 0 0 1.3l5.6 5.4L7 8l1.4-1.3z" /> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-left-arrow" viewBox="0 0 36.6 16"> <path d="M36.6 8L22.7 0v6.4H0v3.2h22.7V16z" /> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-right-arrow" viewBox="0 0 36.6 16"> <path d="M0 8l13.9 8V9.6h22.7V6.4H13.9V0z" /> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-menu" viewBox="0 0 25 19"> <path d="M11 0h14v3H11V0zM0 8h25v3H0V8zm5 8h20v3H5v-3z" /> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-search" viewBox="0 0 21 21"> <path d="M21 18.94l-5.473-5.43a8.426 8.426 0 001.638-4.996C17.165 3.819 13.315 0 8.582 0 3.85 0 0 3.82 0 8.514c0 4.695 3.85 8.514 8.582 8.514 1.794 0 3.46-.55 4.84-1.486L18.924 21 21 18.94zM2.517 8.514c0-3.318 2.721-6.018 6.066-6.018 3.345 0 6.066 2.7 6.066 6.018 0 3.318-2.721 6.017-6.066 6.017-3.346 0-6.066-2.7-6.066-6.017z" /> </symbol> <symbol id="markup-logo" viewBox="0 0 538.7 98"> <path d="M150.4 72.2c-9.2 0-15.3-7.8-15.3-24.2v-2.8H167v-.5c0-16.6-8.6-25.2-22.2-25.2-12.8 0-26.2 12.1-26.2 31 0 19.7 10.8 30 25.5 30 11 0 20.5-8 24.9-17.3l-1.5-.9c-4.4 5.6-11.3 9.9-17.1 9.9zm-5.9-49.4c4 0 7 2.3 7 13.3v5.5h-16.2c.9-12.9 4.5-18.8 9.2-18.8zm-26.9 54.6l2 .6v1.5h-29V78l2-.6c3.3-1 4-2.7 4-8.3V36.9c0-7.1-2.7-10.1-8.1-10.1-2.5 0-5 .7-7.2 2.2v40.1c0 5.6.7 7.3 4 8.3l2 .6v1.5h-29V78l2-.6c4.2-1.3 5-2.7 5-8.3V13.9c0-5.5-1.6-7-6.9-7H45.8v62.2c0 5.6.8 7 5 8.3l2 .6v1.5h-31V78l2-.6c4.2-1.3 5-2.7 5-8.3V6.9h-3.7C13 6.9 9.7 10 3.4 23.9l-1.9 4.2H0L1 3.5h61.3l19-3.5v25.4c3.7-3.6 9.2-5.9 15.2-5.9 9.9 0 16.1 7 16.1 20v29.6c0 5.6.8 7 5 8.3zM459.8 81l-.4-6.8c-3.7 3.8-9.4 6.3-15.6 6.3-9.9 0-16.1-7-16.1-20V32.9c0-6.5-2.4-9.2-6.6-9.2-2.2 0-4.4.8-8.8 5.4l-9.5 10 16.5 28.8c3.8 6.6 5.6 8.2 8.5 9.1v1.5c-3 1.1-8.5 2-11.9 2-6.9 0-10.5-2.6-15.3-12.3l-8.8-17.8-4.2 4.3v14.4c0 5.6.8 7 5 8.3l2 .6v1.5h-30V78l2-.6c4.2-1.3 5-2.7 5-8.3V13.9c0-5.6-.8-7-4.4-8.1l-2.6-.8V3.5l23-3.5v50.5L401.3 36c3.7-4 3.6-9.6-2.1-12.4l-3.3-1.6v-1.5h31.8l16-1.5v44.1c0 7.1 2.7 10.1 8.1 10.1 2.5 0 5-.7 7.2-2.2V32.9c0-5.6-.8-7-4.4-8.1L452 24v-1.5l23-3.5v48.1c0 5.6.8 7 4.4 8.1l2.6.8v1.5L459.8 81zm-187.6-3.8l1.9.8v1.5h-32V78l1.9-.8c4.3-1.8 5.3-3.1 4.9-10L246 14.8l-23.9 64.9h-1.8l-23.4-64.3-2.6 45.3c-.4 7.4 1.2 10.7 7.9 15.4l2.7 1.9v1.5h-24V78l1.9-1.8c6.1-5.7 7.5-8.3 7.9-15.7l2.7-45.6c.3-5-.8-6.8-5.5-8.9l-2.3-1V3.5h25.5l17.4 47.9 17.6-47.9h25.1V5l-2.3 1c-4.7 2.1-5.8 3.9-5.5 8.9l3 51.1c.4 7.6 1.3 9.3 5.8 11.2zM349.6 31c4.2 0 7.7 3.4 11.2 3.4 4.2 0 6.5-3.5 6.5-10.2 0-2.6-.7-3.7-2.4-4.2-.6-.2-2.2-.5-3.4-.5-4.7 0-10.1 4.3-13.6 9.3l-.5-9.8-22.2 3.5V24l2.6.8c3.6 1.1 4.4 2.5 4.4 8.1v36.2c0 5.2-1.7 7.4-6.2 7.4-4.4 0-6.2-2.2-6.2-7.4V40.5c0-14.7-7.8-21-21.7-21-9.6 0-17.1 5.4-21.1 13.1-.5.9-.6 2.2.5 3.2 2.6 2.3 5.8 3.7 8 3.7 3.9 0 6.5-2.3 7.7-8.8 1.2-6.6 2.4-8 4.9-8 3.7 0 5.7 2.2 5.7 9.7V48c-3.1-1.1-6.5-1.8-9.6-1.8-11.9 0-20.5 7.3-20.5 17.4 0 9.8 7.9 16.9 17.3 16.9 6 0 11.3-2.6 14.6-6.7 2.1 4.3 6.2 5.7 13.2 5.7h37.9V78l-2.2-.6c-5.7-1.6-6.3-2.7-6.3-8.3v-38c.5-.1 1-.1 1.4-.1zm-51.2 42.7c-5.2 0-8.6-3.8-8.6-11.8s3.4-11.8 8.6-11.8c1.7 0 3.5.3 5.4 1v11.6c0 3.5.3 6.3.9 8.6-2.1 1.6-4.3 2.4-6.3 2.4zm218.2-54.2c-5 0-10 2.3-13.6 5.9l-.3-6.4-22.2 3.5V24l2.6.8c3.6 1.1 4.4 2.5 4.4 8.1v54.7c0 5.6-.8 7-5 8.3l-2 .6V98h30v-1.5l-2-.6c-4.2-1.3-5-2.7-5-8.3v-8.3c2.4.8 5 1.2 7.7 1.2 13.8 0 27.5-11.7 27.5-31 0-18.7-10.3-30-22.1-30zM511 77c-2.6 0-5.2-1.2-7.5-3.6V28.7c2.3-2.4 5-3.7 7.5-3.7 6.6 0 11 6.6 11 26s-4.4 26-11 26z" /> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-cross" viewBox="0 0 100 100"> <path d="M9.341 80.052l70.71-70.71 10.607 10.606-70.71 70.71z" /> <path d="M9.341 19.948L19.948 9.342l70.71 70.71L80.05 90.658z" /> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-rss-feed" viewBox="0 0 192 192"> <circle cx="32" cy="160" r="32" /> <path d="M0 96c53 0 96 43 96 96h32C128 121.3 70.7 64 0 64v32z" /> <path d="M0 32c88.4 0 160 71.6 160 160h32C192 86 106 0 0 0v32z" /> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-as-seen-in"> <g class="cls-1"> <g class="cls-3"><path class="cls-2" d="m2.09,10.46s2.95,6,8.6,6c5.65,0,8.6-6,8.6-6,0,0-2.95-6-8.6-6-5.65,0-8.6,6-8.6,6Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m10.69,16.92c-2.44,0-4.77-1.09-6.75-3.14-1.48-1.53-2.23-3.05-2.26-3.11-.06-.13-.06-.28,0-.4.03-.06.79-1.58,2.26-3.11,1.98-2.05,4.31-3.14,6.75-3.14s4.77,1.09,6.75,3.14c1.48,1.53,2.23,3.05,2.26,3.11.06.13.06.28,0,.4-.03.06-.79,1.58-2.26,3.11-1.98,2.05-4.31,3.14-6.75,3.14ZM2.61,10.46c.57,1.02,3.36,5.54,8.08,5.54s7.51-4.52,8.08-5.54c-.57-1.02-3.36-5.54-8.08-5.54S3.18,9.44,2.61,10.46Z"/></g> <g><path class="cls-1" d="m.71,9.54s2.95,6,8.6,6c5.65,0,8.6-6,8.6-6,0,0-2.95-6-8.6-6C3.66,3.55.71,9.54.71,9.54Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m9.31,16c-2.44,0-4.77-1.09-6.75-3.14-1.48-1.53-2.23-3.05-2.26-3.11-.06-.13-.06-.28,0-.4.03-.06.79-1.58,2.26-3.11,1.98-2.05,4.31-3.14,6.75-3.14s4.77,1.09,6.75,3.14c1.48,1.53,2.23,3.05,2.26,3.11.06.13.06.28,0,.4-.03.06-.79,1.58-2.26,3.11-1.98,2.05-4.31,3.14-6.75,3.14ZM1.23,9.54c.57,1.02,3.36,5.54,8.08,5.54s7.51-4.52,8.08-5.54c-.57-1.02-3.36-5.54-8.08-5.54S1.8,8.52,1.23,9.54Z"/></g> </g><circle class="cls-2" cx="9.31" cy="9.54" r="4"/><rect class="cls-1" x="9.38" y="7.49" width="2.05" height="2.05"/></symbol> <symbol id="icon-resource"> <g><path class="cls-2" d="m17.35,16.2l-3.84-6.94V3.79h1.44c.78,0,1.41-.63,1.41-1.41s-.63-1.41-1.41-1.41h-7.65c-.78,0-1.41.63-1.41,1.41s.63,1.41,1.41,1.41h1.44v5.47l-3.84,6.94c-.76,1.37.23,3.04,1.79,3.04h8.86c1.56,0,2.55-1.67,1.79-3.04Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m15.56,19.76H6.7c-.92,0-1.74-.47-2.21-1.26-.47-.79-.48-1.74-.04-2.54l3.77-6.82v-4.82h-.92c-1.06,0-1.93-.86-1.93-1.93s.86-1.93,1.93-1.93h7.65c1.06,0,1.93.86,1.93,1.93s-.86,1.93-1.93,1.93h-.92v4.82l3.77,6.82c.44.8.43,1.75-.04,2.54-.47.79-1.29,1.26-2.21,1.26ZM7.3,1.48c-.49,0-.9.4-.9.9s.4.9.9.9h1.95v6.12l-3.9,7.06c-.27.48-.26,1.05.02,1.52s.77.75,1.32.75h8.86c.55,0,1.04-.28,1.32-.75s.29-1.04.02-1.52l-3.9-7.06V3.28h1.95c.49,0,.9-.4.9-.9s-.4-.9-.9-.9h-7.65Z"/></g> <g><path class="cls-1" d="m15.8,16.2l-3.84-6.94V3.5c0-.76-.61-1.37-1.37-1.37h-2.04c-.76,0-1.37.61-1.37,1.37v5.76l-3.84,6.94c-.76,1.37.23,3.04,1.79,3.04h8.86c1.56,0,2.55-1.67,1.79-3.04Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m14.01,19.76H5.15c-.92,0-1.74-.47-2.21-1.26-.47-.79-.48-1.74-.04-2.54l3.77-6.82V3.5c0-1.04.84-1.88,1.88-1.88h2.04c1.04,0,1.88.84,1.88,1.88v5.62l3.77,6.82h0c.44.8.43,1.75-.04,2.54-.47.79-1.29,1.26-2.21,1.26ZM8.56,2.65c-.47,0-.85.38-.85.85v5.76c0,.09-.02.17-.06.25l-3.84,6.94c-.27.48-.26,1.05.02,1.52s.77.75,1.32.75h8.86c.55,0,1.04-.28,1.32-.75s.29-1.04.02-1.52l-3.84-6.94c-.04-.08-.06-.16-.06-.25V3.5c0-.47-.38-.85-.85-.85h-2.04Z"/></g> <g><rect class="cls-1" x="4.34" y=".97" width="10.48" height="2.83" rx="1.41" ry="1.41"/><path class="cls-2" d="m13.41,4.31h-7.65c-1.06,0-1.93-.86-1.93-1.93s.86-1.93,1.93-1.93h7.65c1.06,0,1.93.86,1.93,1.93s-.86,1.93-1.93,1.93ZM5.75,1.48c-.49,0-.9.4-.9.9s.4.9.9.9h7.65c.49,0,.9-.4.9-.9s-.4-.9-.9-.9h-7.65Z"/></g><path class="cls-2" d="m10.74,12h-2.33l-1.87,3.38c-.37.67.11,1.48.87,1.48h4.32c.76,0,1.24-.82.87-1.48l-1.87-3.38Z"/> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-impact"> <g><path class="cls-2" d="m19.23,8.23v5.07s0,5.07,0,5.07c-5.78,0-6.42-1.29-6.47-5.07.06-3.78.69-5.07,6.47-5.07Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m19.23,18.61c-6.03,0-6.65-1.54-6.71-5.3.06-3.78.68-5.31,6.71-5.31.13,0,.23.1.23.23v10.15c0,.13-.1.23-.23.23Zm-.23-10.15c-5.47.03-5.95,1.23-6.01,4.84.05,3.6.54,4.8,6.01,4.84v-9.68Z"/></g> <g><path class="cls-2" d="m14.77,12.23c.01-.57-.02-1.16-.23-1.69-.1-.26-.24-.49-.39-.73-.02-.03-.03-.05-.05-.08-.21-.35-.43-.7-.69-1.01-.81-.94-1.9-1.2-3.07-1.37-.91-.13-1.86-.56-2.42-1.31-.56-.75-.82-1.46-.9-2.4-.05-.65.03-1.61-.34-2.17-.28-.43-.98-.75-1.42-.53-.51.26-.6.82-.63,1.34-.12,2.05.02,4.25,1.22,5.9h-2.88c-.63,0-1.13.51-1.13,1.13s.51,1.13,1.13,1.13c-.63,0-1.13.51-1.13,1.13s.51,1.13,1.13,1.13c-.63,0-1.13.51-1.13,1.13s.51,1.13,1.13,1.13h.58c-.63,0-1.13.51-1.13,1.13s.51,1.13,1.13,1.13h2.43c1.3.74,2.33.92,3.67,1.08,1.44.18,3.21-.39,4.17-1.08,1.81-1.3.91-3.11.96-5.03Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m10.19,18.61c-.2,0-.39-.01-.58-.03-1.33-.16-2.38-.34-3.7-1.08h-2.37c-.75,0-1.37-.61-1.37-1.37,0-.37.15-.71.39-.96-.56-.17-.97-.69-.97-1.31,0-.47.24-.89.6-1.13-.36-.25-.6-.66-.6-1.13s.24-.89.6-1.13c-.36-.25-.6-.66-.6-1.13,0-.75.61-1.37,1.37-1.37h2.44c-1.09-1.8-1.11-4.08-1.02-5.68.02-.39.07-1.19.75-1.54.56-.28,1.39.09,1.72.61.32.49.34,1.18.35,1.79,0,.18,0,.35.02.5.07.91.32,1.57.85,2.28.48.64,1.3,1.08,2.27,1.22,1.09.16,2.32.41,3.22,1.45.28.32.5.69.72,1.04l.05.08c.14.23.29.49.4.76.25.62.26,1.28.25,1.78h0c-.01.5.04,1,.09,1.48.14,1.33.29,2.71-1.15,3.74-.84.6-2.36,1.16-3.76,1.16Zm-7.22-5.65c-.5,0-.9.4-.9.9s.4.9.9.9h.58c.13,0,.23.1.23.23s-.1.23-.23.23c-.5,0-.9.4-.9.9s.4.9.9.9h2.43s.08.01.12.03c1.27.73,2.28.89,3.58,1.05,1.42.17,3.13-.41,4.01-1.04,1.22-.88,1.1-2,.96-3.31-.05-.5-.11-1.01-.1-1.54h0c.02-.68-.05-1.18-.22-1.6-.1-.24-.23-.47-.37-.69l-.05-.08c-.2-.33-.42-.68-.67-.97-.71-.83-1.65-1.11-2.93-1.29-1.08-.16-2.02-.67-2.57-1.4-.58-.78-.86-1.53-.94-2.52-.01-.16-.02-.34-.02-.52-.01-.55-.03-1.17-.28-1.54-.22-.33-.8-.61-1.12-.45-.37.19-.47.59-.5,1.15-.09,1.65-.08,4.03,1.17,5.75.05.07.06.17.02.24-.04.08-.12.13-.21.13h-2.88c-.5,0-.9.4-.9.9s.4.9.9.9c.13,0,.23.1.23.23s-.1.23-.23.23c-.5,0-.9.4-.9.9s.4.9.9.9c.13,0,.23.1.23.23s-.1.23-.23.23Zm11.8-.73h0,0Z"/></g> <g><path class="cls-1" d="m13.3,9.81s-.03-.05-.05-.08c-.21-.35-.43-.7-.69-1.01-.81-.94-1.9-1.2-3.07-1.37-.91-.13-1.86-.56-2.42-1.31-.56-.75-.82-1.46-.9-2.4-.05-.65.03-1.61-.34-2.17-.28-.43-.98-.75-1.42-.53-.51.26-.6.82-.63,1.34-.12,2.09-.31,4.08.96,5.74-.74.12-1.9.23-1.9.23-.75-.03,2.01,8.85,2.29,9.01,1.3.74,2.33.92,3.67,1.08,1.44.18,3.21-.39,4.17-1.08,1.81-1.3.91-3.11.96-5.03.01-.57-.02-1.16-.23-1.69-.1-.26-.24-.49-.39-.73Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m9.35,18.84c-.21,0-.42-.01-.62-.04-1.38-.17-2.46-.35-3.84-1.14-.12-.07-.41-.24-1.62-4.4-1.22-4.23-1.05-4.83-.99-5.03.09-.32.33-.44.53-.45.09,0,.61-.06,1.14-.12-.86-1.57-.75-3.36-.65-5.09l.02-.32c.02-.4.08-1.33.88-1.73.68-.34,1.63.08,2.03.69.35.54.37,1.27.39,1.91,0,.17,0,.34.02.48.07.86.3,1.48.81,2.15.44.59,1.21,1,2.11,1.13,1.13.16,2.41.42,3.36,1.53.29.34.52.71.74,1.07l.05.08s0,0,0,0c.15.24.3.51.42.8.26.66.28,1.35.27,1.88-.01.48.04.97.09,1.44.15,1.4.31,2.84-1.24,3.96-.89.64-2.43,1.2-3.88,1.2Zm-3.9-1.93c1.19.66,2.12.81,3.39.97,1.31.16,2.99-.38,3.84-1,1.11-.8,1-1.76.86-3.1-.05-.5-.11-1.02-.1-1.57.02-.65-.05-1.11-.2-1.51-.09-.22-.22-.45-.35-.66l-.05-.08c-.2-.33-.41-.66-.65-.94-.67-.77-1.56-1.04-2.78-1.21-1.15-.16-2.14-.71-2.73-1.49-.61-.81-.91-1.6-.99-2.64-.01-.16-.02-.34-.02-.53-.01-.52-.03-1.1-.24-1.42-.18-.28-.65-.46-.82-.37-.24.12-.34.38-.37.95l-.02.32c-.11,1.89-.22,3.67.88,5.11.1.13.12.3.06.46-.06.15-.2.26-.36.29-.52.09-1.24.16-1.64.2.03.47.25,1.69.95,4.13.59,2.05,1.15,3.69,1.33,4.09Z"/></g> <g><rect class="cls-1" x=".98" y="8.19" width="6.45" height="2.27" rx="1.13" ry="1.13"/><path class="cls-2" d="m6.42,10.92H1.99c-.81,0-1.48-.66-1.48-1.48v-.25c0-.81.66-1.48,1.48-1.48h4.43c.81,0,1.48.66,1.48,1.48v.25c0,.81-.66,1.48-1.48,1.48Zm-4.43-2.27c-.3,0-.54.24-.54.54v.25c0,.3.24.54.54.54h4.43c.3,0,.54-.24.54-.54v-.25c0-.3-.24-.54-.54-.54H1.99Z"/></g> <g><rect class="cls-1" x=".98" y="10.46" width="6.45" height="2.27" rx="1.13" ry="1.13"/><path class="cls-2" d="m6.42,13.19H1.99c-.81,0-1.48-.66-1.48-1.48v-.25c0-.81.66-1.48,1.48-1.48h4.43c.81,0,1.48.66,1.48,1.48v.25c0,.81-.66,1.48-1.48,1.48Zm-4.43-2.27c-.3,0-.54.24-.54.54v.25c0,.3.24.54.54.54h4.43c.3,0,.54-.24.54-.54v-.25c0-.3-.24-.54-.54-.54H1.99Z"/></g> <g><rect class="cls-1" x=".98" y="12.72" width="6.45" height="2.27" rx="1.13" ry="1.13"/><path class="cls-2" d="m6.42,15.46H1.99c-.81,0-1.48-.66-1.48-1.48v-.25c0-.81.66-1.48,1.48-1.48h4.43c.81,0,1.48.66,1.48,1.48v.25c0,.81-.66,1.48-1.48,1.48Zm-4.43-2.27c-.3,0-.54.24-.54.54v.25c0,.3.24.54.54.54h4.43c.3,0,.54-.24.54-.54v-.25c0-.3-.24-.54-.54-.54H1.99Z"/></g> <g><rect class="cls-1" x="1.56" y="14.99" width="5.3" height="2.27" rx="1.13" ry="1.13"/><path class="cls-2" d="m5.84,17.73h-3.28c-.81,0-1.48-.66-1.48-1.48v-.25c0-.81.66-1.48,1.48-1.48h3.28c.81,0,1.48.66,1.48,1.48v.25c0,.81-.66,1.48-1.48,1.48Zm-3.28-2.27c-.3,0-.54.24-.54.54v.25c0,.3.24.54.54.54h3.28c.3,0,.54-.24.54-.54v-.25c0-.3-.24-.54-.54-.54h-3.28Z"/></g> <g><path class="cls-1" d="m7.37,9.62s-.32,2.43,2.06,3.4"/><path class="cls-2" d="m9.44,13.49c-.06,0-.12-.01-.18-.03-2.15-.88-2.48-2.93-2.35-3.89.03-.26.27-.44.53-.4.26.03.44.27.4.52-.01.09-.23,2.09,1.78,2.9.24.1.35.37.26.61-.07.18-.25.29-.43.29Z"/></g> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-investigation"> <path class="cls-2" d="m19.03,15.76l-4.89-4.89c1.59-2.42,1.32-5.7-.8-7.83C10.9.61,6.95.61,4.52,3.04s-2.43,6.38,0,8.81c2.13,2.13,5.41,2.39,7.83.8l4.89,4.89c.49.49,1.29.49,1.79,0,.49-.49.49-1.29,0-1.79Z"/> <g><path class="cls-1" d="m17.36,16.19l-4.89-4.89c1.59-2.42,1.32-5.7-.8-7.83-2.43-2.43-6.38-2.43-8.81,0s-2.43,6.38,0,8.81c2.13,2.13,5.41,2.39,7.83.8l4.89,4.89c.49.49,1.29.49,1.79,0,.49-.49.49-1.29,0-1.79Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m16.47,18.78c-.45,0-.88-.18-1.2-.5l-4.65-4.65c-2.59,1.51-5.93,1.1-8.07-1.05C-.05,9.99-.05,5.77,2.55,3.17c2.6-2.6,6.82-2.6,9.42,0,2.14,2.14,2.56,5.48,1.04,8.07l4.65,4.65c.66.66.66,1.74,0,2.4-.32.32-.75.5-1.2.5Zm-5.73-6.25l5.14,5.14c.31.31.86.31,1.18,0,.32-.32.32-.85,0-1.18l-5.14-5.14.19-.29c1.5-2.28,1.19-5.35-.75-7.28-1.1-1.1-2.55-1.7-4.1-1.7s-3.01.6-4.1,1.7c-1.1,1.1-1.7,2.55-1.7,4.1s.6,3.01,1.7,4.1c1.94,1.94,5,2.25,7.28.75l.29-.19Z"/></g><circle class="cls-2" cx="7.2" cy="8.02" r="3.77"/> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-check-our-work"> <g><path class="cls-2" d="m9.51,18.26c-.42,0-.82-.23-1.12-.64L2.44,9.33c-.25-.35-.07-.94.28-.94l3.39.06c.1,0,.2.06.27.16l2.61,3.64c.17.24.45.21.6-.06L15.02,1.97c.07-.14.19-.22.32-.22h3.41c.33-.01.51.52.31.88l-8.28,14.74c-.27.51-.69.84-1.15.89-.04,0-.08,0-.12,0Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m9.51,18.77c-.58,0-1.14-.31-1.53-.86L2.03,9.63c-.25-.35-.28-.86-.08-1.25.17-.32.46-.5.78-.5l3.39.06c.26,0,.51.14.68.37l2.46,3.42L14.57,1.73c.16-.31.45-.49.77-.5h3.41c.3-.02.58.16.75.44.21.36.22.83.01,1.2l-8.28,14.74c-.35.66-.91,1.08-1.54,1.14-.06,0-.12,0-.17,0ZM2.84,8.91s0,.1.02.13l5.95,8.28c.22.3.49.46.77.43.28-.03.56-.25.75-.62L18.61,2.38s.02-.09.02-.13h-3.18s-5.39,10.18-5.39,10.18c-.15.29-.42.47-.72.49-.29.01-.57-.12-.75-.37l-2.58-3.59-3.17-.06Z"/></g> <g><path class="cls-1" d="m8.07,18.26c-.42,0-.82-.23-1.12-.64L1,9.33c-.25-.35-.07-.94.28-.94l3.39.06c.1,0,.2.06.27.16l2.61,3.64c.17.24.45.21.6-.06L13.57,1.97c.07-.14.19-.22.32-.22h3.41c.33-.01.51.52.31.88l-8.28,14.74c-.27.51-.69.84-1.15.89-.04,0-.08,0-.12,0Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m8.07,18.77c-.58,0-1.14-.31-1.53-.86L.58,9.63c-.25-.35-.28-.86-.08-1.25.17-.32.46-.5.78-.5l3.39.06c.26,0,.51.14.68.37l2.46,3.42L13.12,1.73c.16-.31.45-.49.77-.5h3.41s0,0,0,0c.3,0,.58.17.75.45.21.36.22.83.01,1.2l-8.28,14.74c-.35.66-.91,1.08-1.54,1.14-.06,0-.12,0-.17,0ZM1.4,8.91s0,.1.02.13l5.95,8.28c.22.3.49.45.77.43.28-.03.56-.25.75-.62L17.17,2.38s.02-.09.02-.13h-3.18s-5.39,10.18-5.39,10.18c-.15.29-.42.47-.72.49-.29.01-.57-.12-.75-.37l-2.58-3.59-3.17-.06Z"/></g> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-story-recipe"> <g><rect class="cls-2" x="4.89" y="3.52" width="12.28" height="15.3"/><path class="cls-2" d="m17.17,19.35H4.89c-.29,0-.53-.24-.53-.53V3.52c0-.29.24-.53.53-.53h12.28c.29,0,.53.24.53.53v15.3c0,.29-.24.53-.53.53Zm-11.74-1.07h11.21V4.06H5.42v14.23Z"/></g> <g><rect class="cls-1" x="2.83" y="3.52" width="12.28" height="15.3"/><path class="cls-2" d="m15.64,19.35H2.3V2.99h13.34v16.36Zm-12.28-1.07h11.21V4.06H3.37v14.23Z"/></g><path class="cls-2" d="m11.86,7.05h-6.06c-.29,0-.53-.24-.53-.53s.24-.53.53-.53h6.06c.29,0,.53.24.53.53s-.24.53-.53.53Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m4.28,3.72c-.29,0-.53-.24-.53-.53V1.17c0-.29.24-.53.53-.53s.53.24.53.53v2.02c0,.29-.24.53-.53.53Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m6.79,3.72c-.29,0-.53-.24-.53-.53V1.17c0-.29.24-.53.53-.53s.53.24.53.53v2.02c0,.29-.24.53-.53.53Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m9.29,3.72c-.29,0-.53-.24-.53-.53V1.17c0-.29.24-.53.53-.53s.53.24.53.53v2.02c0,.29-.24.53-.53.53Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m11.8,3.72c-.29,0-.53-.24-.53-.53V1.17c0-.29.24-.53.53-.53s.53.24.53.53v2.02c0,.29-.24.53-.53.53Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m14.3,3.72c-.29,0-.53-.24-.53-.53V1.17c0-.29.24-.53.53-.53s.53.24.53.53v2.02c0,.29-.24.53-.53.53Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m11.86,10.15h-6.06c-.29,0-.53-.24-.53-.53s.24-.53.53-.53h6.06c.29,0,.53.24.53.53s-.24.53-.53.53Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m11.86,13.26h-6.06c-.29,0-.53-.24-.53-.53s.24-.53.53-.53h6.06c.29,0,.53.24.53.53s-.24.53-.53.53Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m8.84,19.15c-.07,0-.14-.01-.21-.04-.19-.08-.32-.28-.32-.49v-5.89c0-.29.24-.53.53-.53h6.28c.22,0,.41.13.5.34.08.2.03.43-.13.58l-6.28,5.89c-.1.09-.23.14-.36.14Zm.53-5.89v4.13l4.4-4.13h-4.4Z"/> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-tool"> <g><path class="cls-2" d="m17.77,10.4c1.6-1.62,1.46-4.82.51-6.76l-3.19,3.31c-.34.34-.48,1.1-.82.77l-1.18-1.17c-.34-.34-.34-.89,0-1.23l3.42-3.44c-1.65-1.3-4.52-.9-6.12.72s-1.92,4.49-.97,6.43l-4.24,4.27c-.89-.14-1.84.13-2.52.82-1.13,1.14-1.12,2.98.02,4.12s2.98,1.12,4.12-.02c.68-.69.95-1.64.8-2.53l4.24-4.27c1.94.94,4.35.6,5.95-1.02Zm-14.04,6.77c-.55-.54-.55-1.43,0-1.97s1.43-.55,1.97,0,.55,1.43,0,1.97-1.43.55-1.97,0Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m2.32,18.6c-1.33-1.32-1.34-3.48-.02-4.82.71-.71,1.7-1.07,2.69-.99l3.83-3.86c-.9-2.19-.4-5.05,1.21-6.67,1.81-1.83,4.98-2.18,6.79-.76.11.09.18.22.19.36,0,.14-.04.28-.14.38l-3.42,3.44c-.14.14-.14.38,0,.52l.94.93c.1-.17.21-.36.36-.52l3.19-3.3c.11-.12.27-.17.43-.15.16.03.3.13.37.27,1.06,2.16,1.13,5.57-.6,7.33-1.63,1.64-4.07,2.13-6.19,1.27l-3.83,3.86c.09,1-.27,1.99-.97,2.7-1.32,1.33-3.48,1.34-4.82.02ZM15.72,1.97c-1.46-.72-3.68-.33-4.98.98-1.39,1.4-1.78,4.03-.88,5.86.09.19.06.42-.09.57l-4.24,4.27c-.11.11-.27.17-.43.14-.77-.12-1.55.13-2.09.68-.94.94-.93,2.48.01,3.41s2.48.93,3.41-.01c.54-.55.79-1.33.66-2.1-.03-.16.02-.32.14-.43l4.24-4.27c.15-.15.38-.19.57-.1,1.81.87,3.97.5,5.38-.92,1.23-1.24,1.33-3.68.7-5.51l-2.66,2.76c-.07.07-.15.21-.22.34-.16.28-.33.6-.71.66-.12.02-.37.01-.6-.22l-1.18-1.17c-.53-.53-.54-1.39,0-1.93l2.98-3ZM3.38,17.52c-.74-.73-.75-1.94-.01-2.68s1.94-.75,2.68-.01.75,1.94.01,2.68-1.94.75-2.68.01Zm1.97-1.98c-.35-.35-.92-.35-1.27,0s-.35.92,0,1.27.92.35,1.27,0,.35-.92,0-1.27Z"/></g> <g><path class="cls-1" d="m17.12,9.76c1.6-1.62,1.92-4.02.97-5.96l-3.24,3.27c-.34.34-.89.34-1.23,0l-1.18-1.17c-.34-.34-.34-.89,0-1.23l3.24-3.27c-1.94-.94-4.35-.6-5.95,1.02-1.61,1.62-1.92,4.02-.97,5.96l-4.24,4.27c-.89-.14-1.84.13-2.52.82-1.13,1.14-1.12,2.98.02,4.12s2.98,1.12,4.12-.02c.68-.69.95-1.64.8-2.53l4.24-4.27c1.94.94,4.35.6,5.95-1.02ZM3.82,15.78c-.14-.14-.14-.36,0-.5s.36-.14.5,0,.14.36,0,.5-.36.14-.5,0Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m1.67,17.95c-1.33-1.32-1.34-3.48-.02-4.82.71-.71,1.7-1.07,2.69-.99l3.83-3.86c-.88-2.11-.41-4.57,1.21-6.2C11.08.35,13.71-.1,15.9.96c.14.07.25.21.27.36.03.16-.02.32-.14.43l-3.24,3.27c-.14.14-.14.38,0,.52l1.18,1.17c.14.14.38.14.52,0l3.24-3.27c.11-.11.27-.17.43-.14.16.03.3.13.37.27,1.07,2.18.65,4.81-1.06,6.53s-4.07,2.13-6.19,1.27l-3.83,3.86c.09,1-.27,1.99-.97,2.7-1.32,1.33-3.48,1.34-4.82.02ZM14.8,1.59c-1.65-.5-3.47-.07-4.71,1.19-1.41,1.42-1.76,3.59-.88,5.39.09.19.06.42-.09.57l-4.24,4.27c-.11.11-.27.17-.43.14-.77-.12-1.55.13-2.09.68-.94.94-.93,2.48.01,3.41s2.48.93,3.41-.01c.54-.55.79-1.33.66-2.1-.03-.16.02-.32.14-.43l4.24-4.27c.15-.15.38-.19.57-.1,1.81.87,3.97.5,5.38-.92,1.24-1.25,1.66-3.08,1.14-4.72l-2.71,2.74c-.53.53-1.39.54-1.93,0l-1.18-1.17c-.53-.53-.54-1.39,0-1.93l2.71-2.74ZM3.47,16.14c-.33-.33-.34-.87,0-1.2s.87-.34,1.2,0,.34.87,0,1.2-.87.34-1.2,0Zm.7-.71c-.06-.06-.15-.06-.2,0s-.06.15,0,.2.15.06.2,0,.06-.15,0-.2Z"/></g> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-newsletter"> <g><polygon class="cls-2" points="3.38 5.68 3.38 7.55 3.38 14.85 3.38 14.85 3.38 16.71 3.38 16.71 18.19 16.71 18.19 14.85 18.19 7.55 18.19 5.68 3.38 5.68"/><path class="cls-2" d="m18.19,17.29H3.38c-.32,0-.58-.26-.58-.58V5.68c0-.32.26-.58.58-.58h14.82c.32,0,.58.26.58.58v11.03c0,.32-.26.58-.58.58Zm-14.23-1.17h13.65V6.27H3.96v9.86Z"/></g> <g><rect class="cls-2" x="1.81" y="4.2" width="14.82" height="11.03"/><path class="cls-2" d="m16.62,15.81H1.81c-.32,0-.58-.26-.58-.58V4.2c0-.32.26-.58.58-.58h14.82c.32,0,.58.26.58.58v11.03c0,.32-.26.58-.58.58Zm-14.23-1.17h13.65V4.79H2.39v9.86Z"/></g> <g><polygon class="cls-1" points="1.81 6.07 9.22 12.27 16.62 6.07 16.62 15.23 1.81 15.23 1.81 6.07"/><path class="cls-2" d="m16.62,15.81H1.81c-.32,0-.58-.26-.58-.58V6.07c0-.23.13-.43.34-.53.21-.09.45-.06.62.08l7.03,5.89,7.03-5.89c.17-.15.42-.18.62-.08s.34.3.34.53v9.17c0,.32-.26.58-.58.58Zm-14.23-1.17h13.65v-7.33l-6.45,5.4c-.22.18-.53.18-.75,0L2.39,7.32v7.33Z"/></g> <g><polygon class="cls-1" points="16.62 6.07 16.62 4.2 1.81 4.2 1.81 6.07 9.22 12.27 16.62 6.07"/><path class="cls-2" d="m9.22,12.85c-.13,0-.27-.05-.37-.14L1.43,6.51c-.13-.11-.21-.28-.21-.45v-1.86c0-.32.26-.58.58-.58h14.82c.32,0,.58.26.58.58v1.86c0,.17-.08.34-.21.45l-7.41,6.2c-.11.09-.24.14-.37.14ZM2.39,5.79l6.82,5.72,6.82-5.72v-1.01H2.39v1.01Zm14.23.27h0,0Z"/></g> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-link"> <path class="cls-2" d="m19.64,5.97c0-1.21-.48-2.34-1.34-3.19-.85-.84-1.98-1.31-3.18-1.31h-.02c-1.21,0-2.34.48-3.19,1.34l-4.44,4.48c-.1.1-.17.21-.26.32h-.02s-4.08,4.07-4.08,4.07c-.85.86-1.31,1.99-1.31,3.2,0,1.21.48,2.34,1.34,3.19.88.87,2.03,1.3,3.18,1.3s2.32-.45,3.21-1.33l4.44-4.48s0,0,0,0l4.35-4.39c.85-.86,1.31-1.99,1.31-3.2Zm-9.38,3.73c.21,0,.54.07.84.36h0c.16.16.25.37.26.6,0,.11-.02.22-.06.33-.31.12-.68.06-.93-.19-.3-.3-.32-.75-.1-1.09Zm3.69-2.53c-.21-.21-.44-.39-.69-.55l.95-.96c.17-.17.39-.26.62-.26.23,0,.45.09.61.25.17.16.26.38.26.62s-.09.45-.25.62l-.95.96c-.16-.24-.35-.47-.56-.68Zm-6.44,6.5c.21.21.44.39.68.55l-.95.95c-.16.17-.35.26-.62.26-.23,0-.45-.09-.61-.25-.34-.34-.34-.89,0-1.23l.95-.96c.16.24.35.47.56.68Z"/><g><path class="cls-1" d="m16.83,2.24h0c-1.57-1.56-4.12-1.55-5.68.03l-4.35,4.39-.08.09c-1.56,1.57-1.55,4.12.03,5.68h0c1.57,1.56,4.12,1.55,5.68-.03l4.44-4.48c1.56-1.57,1.55-4.12-.03-5.68Zm-6,8c-.53.54-1.4.54-1.94,0s-.54-1.4,0-1.94l2.45-2.47,1.41-1.42c.53-.54,1.4-.54,1.94,0s.54,1.4,0,1.94l-3.86,3.89Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m9.56,14.08c-1.15,0-2.3-.43-3.18-1.3-.86-.85-1.33-1.98-1.34-3.19,0-1.21.46-2.34,1.31-3.2L10.8,1.91c1.75-1.77,4.61-1.78,6.38-.03h0c1.77,1.75,1.78,4.62.03,6.38l-4.44,4.48c-.88.89-2.04,1.33-3.21,1.33ZM14,1.58c-.91,0-1.81.35-2.5,1.04l-4.44,4.48c-.66.67-1.02,1.55-1.02,2.49s.37,1.82,1.04,2.48c1.38,1.36,3.6,1.35,4.97-.02l4.44-4.48c1.36-1.38,1.35-3.61-.02-4.97-.68-.68-1.58-1.02-2.47-1.02Zm-4.15,9.57c-.5,0-.96-.19-1.32-.54-.73-.73-.74-1.92-.01-2.65l3.86-3.89c.35-.35.82-.55,1.32-.55h0c.5,0,.97.19,1.32.54.35.35.55.82.55,1.32,0,.5-.19.97-.54,1.33l-3.86,3.89c-.35.36-.82.55-1.32.56h0Zm3.86-6.64h0c-.23,0-.45.09-.62.26l-3.86,3.89c-.34.34-.34.9,0,1.24.17.17.37.28.62.25.23,0,.45-.09.62-.26h0l3.86-3.89c.16-.17.25-.39.25-.62,0-.23-.09-.45-.26-.62-.17-.16-.38-.25-.62-.25Z"/></g><g><path class="cls-1" d="m9.4,8.4.93.4c.55.53.54,1.4,0,1.94l-3.86,3.89c-.53.54-1.4.54-1.94,0s-.54-1.4,0-1.94l1.41-1.42c-.96-1.94.5-4.23.5-4.23l-4.08,4.08c-1.56,1.57-1.55,4.12.03,5.68h0c1.57,1.56,4.12,1.55,5.68-.03l4.44-4.48c1.56-1.57,1.55-4.12-.03-5.68h0c-.34-.34-.73-.6-1.15-.8l-2.45,2.47s.81-.13,1.45.49Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m5.21,18.47c-1.2,0-2.33-.46-3.18-1.31-1.77-1.75-1.78-4.62-.03-6.38l4.08-4.08.78.62s-1.3,2.08-.48,3.74l-.09.57-1.41,1.42c-.34.34-.34.9,0,1.24.34.34.9.33,1.24,0l3.86-3.89c.17-.17.26-.39.26-.63,0-.23-.09-.44-.26-.6h0c-.44-.43-1-.36-1.03-.36l-.43-.85,2.45-2.47.56-.1c.48.22.91.52,1.29.89.86.85,1.33,1.98,1.34,3.19s-.46,2.34-1.31,3.2l-4.44,4.48c-.85.86-1.98,1.33-3.19,1.34h-.02Zm-.04-9.45l-2.46,2.46c-1.36,1.37-1.35,3.6.02,4.97.66.66,1.54,1.02,2.47,1.02h.02c.94,0,1.82-.37,2.48-1.04l4.44-4.48c.66-.67,1.02-1.55,1.02-2.49,0-.94-.37-1.82-1.04-2.48-.21-.21-.45-.39-.7-.54l-1.5,1.51c.25.1.51.25.75.48h0c.36.34.56.81.56,1.31,0,.51-.19.99-.54,1.35l-3.86,3.89c-.73.73-1.92.74-2.65.01-.73-.73-.74-1.92-.01-2.65l1.17-1.18c-.27-.73-.28-1.48-.17-2.15Z"/></g> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-related-instagram"> <path class="cls-2" d="m18.52,5.14c-.26-.75-.97-1.29-1.81-1.29h-1.48v-.49c0-.79-.64-1.43-1.43-1.43h-4.32c-.79,0-1.43.64-1.43,1.43v.49H2.46c-1.06,0-1.93.86-1.93,1.93v9.35c0,.84.54,1.55,1.29,1.81.26.75.97,1.29,1.81,1.29h14.25c1.06,0,1.93-.87,1.93-1.93V6.96c0-.84-.54-1.55-1.29-1.81Z"/><path class="cls-1" d="m2.46,4.86h14.25c.51,0,.93.42.93.93v9.35c0,.51-.42.93-.93.93H2.46c-.51,0-.93-.42-.93-.93V5.78c0-.51.42-.93.93-.93Z"/><path class="cls-2" d="m9.59,15.52c-2.68,0-4.86-2.18-4.86-4.86s2.18-4.86,4.86-4.86,4.86,2.18,4.86,4.86-2.18,4.86-4.86,4.86Zm0-8.72c-2.13,0-3.86,1.73-3.86,3.86s1.73,3.86,3.86,3.86,3.86-1.73,3.86-3.86-1.73-3.86-3.86-3.86Z"/><circle class="cls-2" cx="9.59" cy="10.66" r="2.7"/><path class="cls-2" d="m15.9,6.8h-1.27c-.28,0-.5-.22-.5-.5s.22-.5.5-.5h1.27c.28,0,.5.22.5.5s-.22.5-.5.5Z"/> </symbol> <symbol id="icon-speech-bubble"> <path class="cls-2" d="m15.44,3.22H4.56c-2.11,0-3.82,1.71-3.82,3.82v4.7c0,2.11,1.71,3.82,3.82,3.82h3.86c.2,1.11.71,1.97,1.51,2.54.87.62,1.92.77,2.75.77.22,0,.41-.01.59-.03.18.01.35.03.52.03.78,0,1.37-.14,1.42-.15.23-.05.4-.25.42-.48.02-.23-.11-.46-.32-.56-1.09-.5-1.06-1.55-.96-2.12h1.1c2.11,0,3.82-1.71,3.82-3.82v-4.7c0-2.11-1.71-3.82-3.82-3.82ZM1.84,7.04c0-.07.02-.13.02-.2,0,.07-.02.13-.02.2h0Z"/><path class="cls-1" d="m4.56,4.32c-1.5,0-2.71,1.22-2.71,2.71v4.7c0,1.5,1.22,2.71,2.71,2.71h4.34c.29,0,.52.22.55.5.1,1.03.48,1.78,1.12,2.24.62.44,1.39.56,2.02.57-.69-.98-.55-2.25-.31-2.94.08-.22.29-.37.52-.37h1.53c1.5,0,2.71-1.22,2.71-2.71v-4.7c0-1.5-1.22-2.71-2.71-2.71H4.56Z"/> </symbol> <symbol id="pointer-arrow_350px"> <g class="donation-pointer__arrowhead"><polygon points="330.7 17 339.2 2.2 347.7 17 330.7 17" fill="#ff335f" stroke-width="0"/><path d="m339.2,3.9l7,12.1h-14l7-12.1m0-3.5l-1.5,2.6-7,12.1-1.5,2.6h20l-1.5-2.6-7-12.1-1.5-2.6h0Z" fill="#f3f2f1" stroke-width="0"/></g><path class="donation-pointer__path" d="m339.2,12.2s0,8-.7,13.9c-2.1,16.5-19.3,59.4-53.9,60.3-30.5.8-42-34.1-58.3-56.4-16.3-22.3-45.5-54-85.3,2.8C101.1,89.5.6,48.7.6,48.7" fill="none" stroke="url(#arrow-linear-gradient)" stroke-miterlimit="10"/> </symbol> <symbol id="pointer-arrow_250px"> <g class="donation-pointer__arrowhead"><polygon points="230 18.4 238.5 3.6 247 18.4 230 18.4" fill="#ff335f" stroke-width="0"/><path d="m238.5,5.4l7,12.1h-14l7-12.1m0-3.5l-1.5,2.6-7,12.1-1.5,2.6h20l-1.5-2.6-7-12.1-1.5-2.6h0Z" fill="#f3f2f1" stroke-width="0"/></g><path class="donation-pointer__path" d="m237.9,16.6s0,5.6-.5,9.7c-1.5,11.6-13.6,41.7-37.9,42.4-21.4.6-29.5-24-41-39.6-11.5-15.7-31.9-38-59.9,1.9C70.6,70.9,0,42.2,0,42.2" fill="none" stroke="url(#arrow-linear-gradient)" stroke-miterlimit="10"/> </symbol> <symbol id="pointer-arrow_160px"> <g class="donation-pointer__arrowhead"><polygon points="140 18.4 148.5 3.6 157 18.4 140 18.4" fill="#ff335f" stroke-width="0"/><path d="m148.5,5.4l7,12.1h-14l7-12.1m0-3.5l-1.5,2.6-7,12.1-1.5,2.6h20l-1.5-2.6-7-12.1-1.5-2.6h0Z" fill="#f3f2f1" stroke-width="0"/></g><path class="donation-pointer__path" d="m148.6,12.7s0,.8,0,4.8c0,14-9.5,27.3-24.6,25.9-18.2-1.7-21-19.3-25.6-28s-19.7-20.3-37.1,4.5S0,26.9,0,26.9" fill="none" stroke="#ff335f" stroke-miterlimit="10" stroke-width="0.5"/> </symbol> <symbol id="pointer-arrow_75px"> <g class="donation-pointer__arrowhead"><polygon points="101 18.4 109.5 3.6 118 18.4 101 18.4" fill="#ff335f" stroke-width="0"/><path d="m109.5,5.4l7,12.1h-14l7-12.1m0-3.5l-1.5,2.6-7,12.1-1.5,2.6h20l-1.5-2.6-7-12.1-1.5-2.6h0Z" fill="#f3f2f1" stroke-width="0"/></g><path class="donation-pointer__path" d="m109.5,17s0,.8,0,4.8c0,14-9.5,27.3-24.6,25.9-18.2-1.7-21-19.3-25.6-28S39.6-.6,22.2,24.2s-61.3,7-61.3,7" fill="none" stroke="#ff335f" stroke-miterlimit="10" stroke-width="0.5"/> </symbol> </defs> </svg> <div class="header-stripe"> <a href="https://themarkup.org/donate-stripe-202411" class="header-stripe__link print-hidden" target="_blank"> <span class="header-stripe__content"> Shine a light on tech’s hidden impacts. <span class="header-stripe__link-label"> Triple your donation. </span> </span> </a> </div> <a href="#content" class="visually-hidden focusable">Skip navigation</a> <header class="site-header has-header-stripe" role="banner"> <div class='site-header__nav'> <div class="site-header__nav-inner"> <a class='site-header__link site-header__link--menu js-MenuToggle' role="button" aria-controls="menu" aria-label="Site menu">Menu <svg class='site-header__link-icon' aria-hidden="true"><use xlink:href='#icon-chevron'></use></svg> </a> <a href="/" class="site-header__branding site-header__logo"> <svg viewBox='0 0 538.7 98' class='site-header__logo logo__no-bg ' aria-hidden="true"><use xlink:href="#markup-logo"></use></svg> <span class="visually-hidden">The Markup</span> </a> <a href='/donate' class='site-header__link site-header__link--donate' data-utm-source="header">Donate </a> <ul class='site-header__links'> <li class="site-header__links-item"> <a href="/about" class="site-header__link">About Us</a> </li> <li class="site-header__links-item"> <a href="/donate" class="site-header__link button"> <span class="button__label">Donate</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div><p class='site-header__statement'>Challenging technology to serve the public good.</p></header> <div class="print-only"> <div class="print-logo"> <svg viewBox="0 0 538.7 98" class="site-header__logo"><use xlink:href="#markup-logo"></use></svg> </div> <h1 class="article-title">Department of Education Sued Following Markup Investigation Into FAFSA Data Shared with Facebook</h1> <div class="article-byline">By Colin Lecher </div> <div class="article-date">July 26, 2024 10:01 ET</div> <div class="article-link">Viewable online at<br><a href="https://themarkup.org/pixel-hunt/2024/07/26/department-of-education-sued-following-markup-investigation-into-fafsa-data-shared-with-facebook">https://themarkup.org/pixel-hunt/2024/07/26/department-of-education-sued-following-markup-investigation-into-fafsa-data-shared-with-facebook</a></div> </div><article id="content" class="article-single " role="main"> <div class="article-single-inner"> <header class="article-header article-header--has-image"> <div class="article-titles"> <div class="article-titles__inner print-hidden"><p class="article-type"><a href="/series/pixel-hunt" class="article-type__link article-type__link--series">Pixel Hunt</a></p><h1 class="article-title">Department of Education Sued Following Markup Investigation Into FAFSA Data Shared with Facebook</h1> <p class="article-subhead"> Advocates want answers after The Markup found the department sharing student data with Meta <span class="article-author"> <span>By </span> <a class="article-author__link" href="https://themarkup.org/people/colin-lecher/">Colin Lecher</a> </span> </p> <div class="article-date"> <time datetime="2024-07-26T10:01:00">July 26, 2024 10:01 ET</time></div> </div> </div> <div class="article-art__wrapper"> <div class="article-art"> <figure class="article-figure"> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 491px)" srcset="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1723267822_reduced-841x473.jpg, https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1723267822_reduced-1682x946.jpg 2x"> <source media="(max-width: 490px)" srcset="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1723267822_reduced-750x422.jpg, https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1723267822_reduced-1140x641.jpg 3x"> <img src="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1723267822_reduced-841x473.jpg" alt="A close up of the federal financial aid application for the year 2023-2024" class="article-img"> </picture> </figure> </div> <figcaption class='article-caption'> <span class='article-caption-label'></span> <span class="article-source">Richard Stephen</span> </figcaption> </div> </header> <div class="article-body"> <div class="article-meta"> <div class='article-meta__share' role="complementary" aria-labelledby="article-meta__share__heading"> <h3 id="article-meta__share__heading" class='article-meta__title' aria-hidden="true">Share This Article</h3> <a class="button article-meta__button js-CopyLink"> <span class='button__label button__label--main'> Copy Link </span></a> <a class="button article-meta__button js-open-republisher"> <span class='button__label button__label--main'> Republish </span></a> </div></div><p><em>The Markup, now a part of CalMatters, uses investigative reporting, data analysis, and software engineering to challenge technology to serve the public good. Sign up for </em><a href="https://mrkup.org/XvjZS"><em>Klaxon</em></a><em>, a newsletter that delivers our stories and tools directly to your inbox.</em></p>  <p>A new federal lawsuit, scheduled to be <a href="https://defendstudents.org/news/student-defense-and-accountable-tech-file-freedom-of-information-act-complaint-against-u-s-department-of-education" target="_blank">filed as soon as today</a>, accuses the Department of Education of failing to disclose records of its correspondence with Facebook, after <a href="https://themarkup.org/pixel-hunt/2022/04/28/applied-for-student-aid-online-facebook-saw-you">an investigation</a> by The Markup found the department sharing sensitive student information with the tech company. </p> <p>In 2022, The Markup revealed how the department used a tool called the <a href="https://themarkup.org/series/pixel-hunt">Meta Pixel</a> to quietly gather names, email addresses, and zip codes of prospective college students who filled out the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The pixel transmitted the student data from the FAFSA website, the primary way millions of students and their families apply for financial aid, to Facebook and its parent company, Meta, in a “hashed” or scrambled format that could be easily reversed and potentially used by Meta for targeting advertisements. </p> <p>After The Markup alerted the U.S. Department of the tracking practice, the agency stopped using the pixel on the FAFSA and said that an advertising campaign had “inadvertently” tracked unintended data on applicants and would review the issue. But questions remain about how the student data might have been used, or how many people might have been affected. Facebook’s algorithms are complex, and even some engineers at the company <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/akvmke/facebook-doesnt-know-what-it-does-with-your-data-or-where-it-goes" target="_blank">have complained</a> that they don’t understand where data the company receives ends up. </p> <p>Almost immediately following The Markup’s investigation, the nonprofit organizations National Student Legal Defense Network (Student Defense), which provides legal defense for higher education students, and Accountable Tech, which advocates against online surveillance practices, <a href="https://defendstudents.org/news/body/FINAL-Letter-to-House-Oversight-Committee-1.pdf" target="_blank">asked lawmakers</a> to investigate the trackers on the FAFSA website, and requested documents from the Department of Education under the Freedom of Information Act. The groups asked the Department of Education to provide any communications between government officials and Facebook. Their request also asked for any reports or other documents about data being sent to the company through the Meta Pixel.</p> <article class="article-card article-card--medium article-card--has-image article-card--left" role="complementary"> <a href="https://themarkup.org/pixel-hunt/2023/11/22/facebook-watches-teens-online-as-they-prep-for-college" class="article-card__link"> <div class="article-card__art"> <figure class="article-card__figure"> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 491px)" srcset="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2023/11/TheMarkup_MetaPixelKids_Final_JuliaGalotta-841x473.jpg, https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2023/11/TheMarkup_MetaPixelKids_Final_JuliaGalotta-1682x946.jpg 2x"> <source media="(max-width: 490px)" srcset="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2023/11/TheMarkup_MetaPixelKids_Final_JuliaGalotta-750x422.jpg, https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2023/11/TheMarkup_MetaPixelKids_Final_JuliaGalotta-1140x641.jpg 3x"> <img src="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2023/11/TheMarkup_MetaPixelKids_Final_JuliaGalotta-841x473.jpg" alt="A children’s book style illustration of a child reading a textbook online, as a scary monster sucks up all her browser history, simulating the way the online trackers on popular kids websites quietly suck up identifying information about youth." class="article-card__img"> </picture> </figure> </div> <div class="article-card__content"> <div class="article-card__content-inner "> <p class="article-card-type"><span class="article-card-type__series">Pixel Hunt</span></p> <h3 class="article-card__headline "> Facebook Watches Teens Online As They Prep for College </h3><p class="article-card__subhead">An investigation by The Markup found Meta’s pixel tracking students from kindergarten to college</p><time class="article-card__date" datetime="2023-11-22T05:00:00">November 22, 2023 05:00 ET</time></div> </div> </a> </article> <p>Today, the organizations allege in a lawsuit that, more than two years later, they still have not received records from the Department of Education, and are asking the court to force the agency to provide the documents.</p> <p>Aaron Ament, president of Student Defense, told The Markup that the organizations wanted to learn more about what Facebook did with the students’ information, and whether the department investigated the incident. “I think there’s some real concerns around what’s happening with this data,” Ament said. “Especially if students just went to the government’s website to fill out a FAFSA and their data is sent, what has happened since then?” </p> <p>He points out that large, for-profit higher education institutions <a href="https://feed.georgetown.edu/access-affordability/seeing-shifting-landscape-for-profit-colleges-ramp-up-marketing/" target="_blank">have used Facebook</a> ads to reach students through <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/for-profit-college-recruiters-documents_n_820337" target="_blank">pressure tactics</a> in the past. Despite promises, those colleges may leave students debt-ridden and with inflated expectations about finding a job. Ament said the organizations were concerned about whether students could be targeted by such schools through the data. </p> <p>Meta and the Department of Education did not respond to a request for comment on the suit or for more information on how the students’ data was used. </p> <p><strong>The Pixel Hunt</strong></p> <p>Meta offers the pixel free to businesses and organizations to embed on their websites and track visitors. By using the tool, companies can gather data about users’ interest and later advertise to them on Facebook. If a pixel detects that a person is browsing watches, for example, a business might purchase Facebook ads to show them other timepieces they might be interested in. The tool is one of the reasons internet users complain about online shopping items haunting them across the web. </p> <p>While businesses can target ads to their customers using the pixel, it’s also a boon to Facebook. The tool entices businesses to spend more on ad campaigns, and Facebook can also use the data it receives to improve its own internal advertising algorithms. </p> <p>Millions of websites use the Meta Pixel, according to the company, but most people never know when they interact with one. To understand the pervasiveness of the code, The Markup launched a project called <a href="https://themarkup.org/show-your-work/2022/04/28/how-we-built-a-meta-pixel-inspector">The Pixel Hunt</a>. Working with Mozilla Rally, we gathered anonymized browsing data from volunteers that showed their interactions with the pixel, and also directly examined network traffic between Facebook and the websites themselves.</p> <article class="article-card article-card--medium article-card--has-image article-card--right" role="complementary"> <a href="https://themarkup.org/machine-learning/2023/11/30/he-wanted-privacy-his-college-gave-him-none" class="article-card__link"> <div class="article-card__art"> <figure class="article-card__figure"> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 491px)" srcset="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2023/11/EricNatividad-2139_reduced-841x473.jpg, https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2023/11/EricNatividad-2139_reduced-1682x946.jpg 2x"> <source media="(max-width: 490px)" srcset="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2023/11/EricNatividad-2139_reduced-750x422.jpg, https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2023/11/EricNatividad-2139_reduced-1140x641.jpg 3x"> <img src="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2023/11/EricNatividad-2139_reduced-841x473.jpg" alt="Photo of Eric Natividad, wearing a backpack, looking straight into the camera" class="article-card__img"> </picture> </figure> </div> <div class="article-card__content"> <div class="article-card__content-inner "> <p class="article-card-type"><span class="article-card-type__series">Machine Learning</span></p> <h3 class="article-card__headline "> He Wanted Privacy. His College Gave Him None </h3><p class="article-card__subhead"> A Markup examination of a typical college shows how students are subject to a vast and growing array of watchful tech, including homework trackers, test-taking software, and even license plate readers</p><time class="article-card__date" datetime="2023-11-30T08:00:00">November 30, 2023 08:00 ET</time></div> </div> </a> </article> <p>The project has revealed the surprising ways data from sensitive industries is provided to Facebook without users’ knowledge. The Markup’s stories have uncovered examples of <a href="https://themarkup.org/pixel-hunt/2022/06/16/facebook-is-receiving-sensitive-medical-information-from-hospital-websites">hospitals</a>, <a href="https://themarkup.org/pixel-hunt/2022/11/22/tax-filing-websites-have-been-sending-users-financial-information-to-facebook">tax preparation companies</a>, and <a href="https://themarkup.org/pixel-hunt/2024/05/15/mortgage-brokers-sent-peoples-estimated-credit-address-and-veteran-status-to-facebook">mortgage lenders</a> sharing customers’ personal data with Facebook, along with other instances of websites <a href="https://themarkup.org/pixel-hunt/2023/11/22/facebook-watches-teens-online-as-they-prep-for-college">tracking students</a>. </p> <p>Those investigations have resulted in many businesses removing the pixels, as well as dozens of <a href="https://themarkup.org/hello-world/2023/09/30/our-pixel-hunt-project-keeps-paying-dividends">privacy-related lawsuits</a> and <a href="https://themarkup.org/pixel-hunt/2023/07/12/congressional-report-finds-meta-and-tax-prep-companies-recklessly-shared-taxpayers-data">scrutiny from Congressional lawmakers</a>, including in response to The Markup’s FAFSA investigation. </p> <p>Calls for accountability rolled in almost immediately after publication. Two Congressional Republicans, in <a href="https://www.help.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2022.05.10%20Burr,%20Foxx%20Letter%20to%20Cardona%20on%20Meta-Facebook%20Pixel.pdf" target="_blank">a 2022 letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona</a>, called the tracking “completely inappropriate” and “predatory.” The two North Carolina lawmakers, Sen. Richard Burr and Rep. Virginia Foxx, said they had requested a briefing from Cardona on the issue but had been rebuffed. </p> <p>Ament said there are “members of Congress that are really interested on both sides of the aisle” on how the data might have been used.</p> <p>“There’s been a lot of questions since your article that really haven’t gotten answered,” he said.</p></div> <div class="article-donate js-promotion print-hidden"> <div class="article-donate__content"><div class='article-donate__body'><a href="/donate-footer"> <figure class="article-donate__visual"> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 491px)" srcset="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2023/12/650x150-email-2.png, https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2023/12/650x150-email-2.png 2x"> <source media="(max-width: 490px)" srcset="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2023/12/650x150-email-2.png, https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2023/12/650x150-email-2.png 3x"> <img src="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2023/12/650x150-email-2.png" alt="We don't only investigate technology. We instigate change." class=""> </picture> </figure> </a><p>Your donations power our award-winning reporting and our tools. Together we can do more. Give now.</p> <a href="/donate-footer" class="button button--important "> <span class='button__label button__label--main'> Donate Now </span></a> </div> </div> </div> <footer class="article-footer print-hidden"> <div class="article-footer-titles"> <h2 class="article-footer-titles__overline">You just read</h2> <p class="article-footer-titles__title">Department of Education Sued Following Markup Investigation Into FAFSA Data Shared with Facebook</p><p class="article-footer-titles__series">From the series — <a href="/series/pixel-hunt">Pixel Hunt</a> and <a href="/series/impact">Impact</a></p><div class="article-footer-titles__share"> <h2 class='article-footer-titles__overline'>Share This Article</h2> <a class="button js-CopyLink"> <span class='button__label button__label--main'> Copy Link </span></a> <a class="button js-open-republisher"> <span class='button__label button__label--main'> Republish </span></a> </div> </div> <div id="credits" class="article-footer__details print-hidden"> <h3 class="article-details__overline">Credits</h3> <div class="article-authors"> <ul class="article__author-list"> <li class="article__author-list-item"> <div class='article__author-headshot'> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 491px)" srcset="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2020/02/0003_Colin-60x60.jpg, https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2020/02/0003_Colin-120x120.jpg 2x"> <source media="(max-width: 490px)" srcset="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2020/02/0003_Colin-120x120.jpg, https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2020/02/0003_Colin-240x240.jpg 3x"> <img src="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2020/02/0003_Colin-60x60.jpg" alt="" class="article__author-image"> </picture> </div> <p class="article__author-description"> <a href="https://themarkup.org/people/colin-lecher/" class="article__author-link">Colin Lecher</a> <span class='article__author-non-link'>Investigative Reporter</span> </p> </li> </ul> <div class='article__credits'> <div class='article__credits-section'> <h3 class="article-details__overline">Art Direction</h3> <ul class="article__credits-list"> <li class="article__credits-list-item article__author-description"> <a href="/people/gabe-hongsdusit" class="article__author-link">Gabriel Hongsdusit</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class='article__credits-section'> <h3 class="article-details__overline">Editing</h3> <ul class="article__credits-list"> <li class="article__credits-list-item article__author-description"> <a href="/people/ko-bragg" class="article__author-link">Ko Bragg</a> </li> <li class="article__credits-list-item article__author-description"> <a href="/people/sisi-wei" class="article__author-link">Sisi Wei</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class='article__credits-section'> <h3 class="article-details__overline">Engagement</h3> <ul class="article__credits-list"> <li class="article__credits-list-item article__author-description"> Xinyan Fu </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> </article> <section id="republisher" class="republish-section" data-id="79540" aria-hidden="true"> <div class='republish-button-wrapper'> <a class="button button--navy republish-button js-close-republisher"> <span class='button__label button__label--main'> Close </span></a> </div> <div class="republish-inner"> <div class="republish-details"> <div class='republish-overline'>Republish</div> <h2 class="republish-heading"> Department of Education Sued Following Markup Investigation Into FAFSA Data Shared with Facebook </h2> <div class="republish-instructions"> <p>We’re happy to make this story available to republish for free under the conditions of an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">Attribution–NonCommercial–No Derivatives Creative Commons</a> license. Please adhere to the following:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Notify us:</strong> Please email us at <a href="mailto:republish@themarkup.org">republish@themarkup.org</a> to let us know if you’ve republished the story.</li> <li><strong>Give prominent credit to The Markup and its journalists</strong>: Credit our authors at the top of the article and any other byline areas of your publication.</li> <li><strong>Do not edit the article:</strong> The complete, unaltered article text must be published. If you wish to translate the article, please contact us for approval.</li> <li><strong>Access to the article must remain free:</strong> Do not sell access to this article or place it behind a paywall, but you can republish our articles on sites with ads.</li> <li><strong>Images may not be available for republication:</strong> Not all of the imagery used in articles published on our site are licensed under Creative Commons. Some images are from commercial providers who do not allow their images to be republished without permission or payment. If you wish to use any image from our articles, email us at <a href="mailto:republish@themarkup.org">republish@themarkup.org</a> for guidance.</li> <li><strong>Use the provided HTML to republish this article on your site:</strong> Simply copy the HTML that we have provided and publish it as is on your website. The provided HTML snippet includes all text formatting and hyperlinks, the author byline, and credit to The Markup. If the HTML code for The Markup credit image is incompatible with your CMS, let us know if you remove it.</li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="republish-content"> <div class="republish-content-inner"> <textarea class="republish-markup" id="republisher-markup" readonly resize="false">Some placeholder text</textarea> </div> <a class="button button--navy republish-copy-button js-copy-republishing"> <span class='button__label button__label--main'> Copy HTML </span></a> </div> </div> </section> <section class="article-recirc print-hidden"> <div class='section-label section-label--center '> <h2 class='section-label__text'>The Latest</h2> </div> <div class="article-recirc__list article-cards--3up"> <article class="article-card article-card--has-image " > <a href="https://themarkup.org/artificial-intelligence/2024/11/21/trump-wants-even-looser-ai-guardrails-why-california-despite-passing-over-20-ai-bills-this-year-might-not-push-back" class="article-card__link"> <div class="article-card__art"> <figure class="article-card__figure"> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 491px)" srcset="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/03/GettyImages-2081669407_reducedsize-360x203.jpg, https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/03/GettyImages-2081669407_reducedsize-750x422.jpg 2x"> <source media="(max-width: 490px)" srcset="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/03/GettyImages-2081669407_reducedsize-750x422.jpg, https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/03/GettyImages-2081669407_reducedsize-1140x641.jpg 3x"> <img src="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/03/GettyImages-2081669407_reducedsize-360x203.jpg" alt="Photograph of a surveillance tower monitor, with a background landscape of a river and mountains" class="article-card__img"> </picture> </figure> </div> <div class="article-card__content"> <div class="article-card__content-inner "> <p class="article-card-type"><span class="article-card-type__series">Artificial Intelligence</span></p> <h3 class="article-card__headline "> Trump Wants Even Looser AI Guardrails. Why California, Despite Passing Over 20 AI Bills This Year, Might Not Push Back </h3><p class="article-card__subhead">President-elect Trump has vowed to rescind an executive order that imposed AI safeguards, and could use tech to enable mass deportations. How far will California go in the other direction?</p><time class="article-card__date" datetime="2024-11-21T12:32:38">November 21, 2024 12:32 ET</time></div> </div> </a> </article> <article class="article-card article-card--has-image " > <a href="https://themarkup.org/the-breakdown/2024/11/14/privacy-guide-go-incognito" class="article-card__link"> <div class="article-card__art"> <figure class="article-card__figure"> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 491px)" srcset="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/11/110824-ABORTION-GUIDE-AH-TM-360x203.jpg, https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/11/110824-ABORTION-GUIDE-AH-TM-750x422.jpg 2x"> <source media="(max-width: 490px)" srcset="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/11/110824-ABORTION-GUIDE-AH-TM-750x422.jpg, https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/11/110824-ABORTION-GUIDE-AH-TM-1140x641.jpg 3x"> <img src="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/11/110824-ABORTION-GUIDE-AH-TM-360x203.jpg" alt="Photo illustration of a person surrounded by graphic elements that include the U.S. Supreme Courthouse, a hand with a gavel, a dilated eye, a search bar, a bottle with pills floating around, a pregnancy test and a diagram of a uterus; a dotted white line with two location pins runs across the composition" class="article-card__img"> </picture> </figure> </div> <div class="article-card__content"> <div class="article-card__content-inner "> <p class="article-card-type"><span class="article-card-type__series">The Breakdown</span><span class="article-card-type__series">Privacy</span></p> <h3 class="article-card__headline "> How Do I Protect My Privacy If I’m Seeking an Abortion? </h3><p class="article-card__subhead">A guide to keeping your plans private through every step of an abortion in any state, including Florida and South Dakota</p><time class="article-card__date" datetime="2024-11-14T08:00:00">November 14, 2024 08:00 ET</time></div> </div> </a> </article> <article class="article-card article-card--has-image " > <a href="https://themarkup.org/impact/2024/10/28/bill-veterans-suicide-prevention-algorithm" class="article-card__link"> <div class="article-card__art"> <figure class="article-card__figure"> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 491px)" srcset="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/10/070124-Native-American-Veterans-MU-01-360x203.jpg, https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/10/070124-Native-American-Veterans-MU-01-750x422.jpg 2x"> <source media="(max-width: 490px)" srcset="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/10/070124-Native-American-Veterans-MU-01-750x422.jpg, https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/10/070124-Native-American-Veterans-MU-01-1140x641.jpg 3x"> <img src="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/uploads/2024/10/070124-Native-American-Veterans-MU-01-360x203.jpg" alt="A person in ceremonial attire holds a staff and stands in front of flags during a memorial for Native American war veterans. They are wearing glasses and have braided hair, dressed in a sequined outfit with patches, including one that reads 'Never Forgotten' with an image of a military service member." class="article-card__img"> </picture> </figure> </div> <div class="article-card__content"> <div class="article-card__content-inner "> <p class="article-card-type"><span class="article-card-type__series">Impact</span></p> <h3 class="article-card__headline "> Bill Would Force V.A. to Overhaul Suicide Prevention Algorithm That Favors White Men </h3><p class="article-card__subhead">The legislation would require the agency to incorporate factors linked to elevated suicide risk among women veterans into its AI program</p><time class="article-card__date" datetime="2024-10-28T08:00:00">October 28, 2024 08:00 ET</time></div> </div> </a> </article> </div> </section> </div> <footer class="site-footer js-Footer" role="region" aria-label="footer"> <div class="site-footer-inner"> <a href='/' class='footer-logo'> <span class="visually-hidden">Return to The Markup's homepage</span> <svg aria-hidden="true"><use xlink:href="#markup-logo"></use></svg> </a> <div class='footer-donate'> <p class='footer-donate__description'> Your contributions help us investigate how technology influences our society. </p> <div class='footer-donate__arrow'></div> <a href="/donate" class="button button--navy "> <span class='button__label button__label--main'> Donate </span></a> </div> <div class="footer-list footer-list--information"> <ul class="footer-nav"> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="/about" class="footer-nav__link">About Us</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="/donors" class="footer-nav__link">Our Donors</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="/ethics" class="footer-nav__link">Ethics Policy</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="/events/" class="footer-nav__link">Events</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="/board-of-directors" class="footer-nav__link">Board of Directors</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="https://themarkup.org/jobs" class="footer-nav__link">Jobs</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="/team" class="footer-nav__link">Team</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="/tips" class="footer-nav__link">Have a Tip?</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="/newsletter" class="footer-nav__link">Newsletters</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="/2020/02/25/president-letter-nabiha-syed" class="footer-nav__link">A Letter from the President</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="/awards" class="footer-nav__link">Awards</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="/privacy" class="footer-nav__link">Privacy Policy</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="/terms" class="footer-nav__link">Terms of Use</a> </li> </ul> </div> <nav class="footer-list footer-list--follow" aria-label="Social media"> <ul class='footer-nav'> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teammarkup/" class="footer-nav__link footer-nav__link--facebook"> <svg><use xlink:href="#icon-facebook"></use></svg> Facebook</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="https://twitter.com/themarkup" class="footer-nav__link footer-nav__link--twitter"> <svg><use xlink:href="#icon-twitter"></use></svg> Twitter</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/the.markup/" class="footer-nav__link footer-nav__link--instagram"> <svg><use xlink:href="#icon-instagram"></use></svg> Instagram</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="https://mastodon.themarkup.org/@themarkup" class="footer-nav__link footer-nav__link--mastodon" rel="me"> <svg><use xlink:href="#icon-mastodon"></use></svg> Mastodon</a> </li> <li class="footer-nav__item"> <a href="https://themarkup.org/feeds/rss.xml" class="footer-nav__link footer-nav__link--rss-feed"> <svg><use xlink:href="#icon-rss-feed"></use></svg> RSS Feed</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="footer-newsletter"> <p class="footer-newsletter__description"> Sign up to get the Hello World newsletter in your inbox every Saturday. </p> <form action="/_submit-subscribe" method="post" class="subscribe js-subscribe subscribe--navy"> <input type="hidden" name="list_id" value="89ee961b-dac6-11ec-9258-0241b9615763"> <input type="hidden" name="token" value=""> <div class="subscribe__inner"> <div class="subscribe__input-wrapper"> <label class="visually-hidden" for="subscribe-email">Enter your email address</label> <input placeholder="Email address" type="email" name="email" class="subscribe__input" id="subscribe-email"> </div> <div class="button button--navy"> <button type="submit" value="Subscribe" class="subscribe__submit button__label"> <div class="button__label--default">Subscribe</div> <span class="button__label--loading"> <span class="subscribe__loading-dot subscribe__loading-dot--1"></span> <span class="subscribe__loading-dot subscribe__loading-dot--2"></span> <span class="subscribe__loading-dot subscribe__loading-dot--3"></span> </span> </button> </div> </div> <div class="subscribe__hcaptcha"> Please complete this CAPTCHA to help us ensure our subscription list is not abused. <div class="h-captcha" data-sitekey="a607cdae-5fa6-44bc-b9f4-f6ff92620958"></div> <div class="h-captcha-accessibility"> <a href="https://www.hcaptcha.com/accessibility" target="_blank">hCaptcha accessibility</a> </div> </div> <div class="subscribe__feedback subscribe__feedback--hidden"></div> </form> </div> </div> </footer> <script src="https://mrkp-static-production.themarkup.org/static/dist/main.6a96bc7e.js"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Department of Education Sued Following Markup Investigation Into FAFSA Data Shared with Facebook – The Markup