A recent incident involving the Harris campaign has raised significant concerns among Republican circles regarding data privacy and the ethical use of student information at Arizona’s public universities. Over the weekend, college students from Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University received text messages urging them to register to vote ahead of a looming deadline. The messages emphasized that students could register using their dorm addresses, a legal practice in Arizona as long as they are not registered elsewhere.
While the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permits the release of certain student directory information, including cell phone numbers, students have the option to withhold this data. University officials confirmed that although the law allows for political campaigns to access this information, it is concerning that such sensitive data is being utilized in a way that could compromise student privacy.
State Senator Jake Hoffman has voiced strong opposition, announcing plans to investigate how the Harris campaign obtained these contact lists. He argues that using personally identifiable information (PII) for mass political outreach raises legal and ethical questions. “This breach of security must be scrutinized,” Hoffman stated, emphasizing that the integrity of student data should be paramount.
Despite the Harris campaign’s silence on the issue, the University of Arizona clarified that they did not receive any request for student information from the campaign, further complicating the narrative. Critics within the Republican party are rightly questioning whether such tactics constitute election interference or if they violate student privacy laws.
As both the Harris and Trump campaigns ramp up their efforts in Arizona, it’s crucial for Republicans to remain vigilant. With early voting just around the corner, ensuring that our election processes are transparent and that the privacy of our students is respected should be a top priority. The implications of this incident could resonate far beyond this election cycle, affecting how campaigns engage with young voters in the future.