Chapter 8: Global Perspectives on Technology and Privacy on Learning Platforms: A Systematic Literature Review

Privacy concerns in digital learning are diverse and require a holistic, coherent analysis. This systematic literature review (SLR) closes existing research gaps by critically examining the interplay between technology and privacy on learning platforms from a global perspective, focusing on their performative effects in broader educational and social contexts. The review draws on 43 peer-reviewed articles from 2011 to 2024 and identifies four key findings. First, technological advances in learning platforms are exacerbating privacy challenges, including ethical dilemmas in data use, security vulnerabilities, and disparities in privacy standards, particularly in under-resourced regions, along with the increasing commercialization of student data. Second, privacy-enhancing measures, such as secure data frameworks and adaptive learning systems, promote trust and inclusivity while respecting cultural and educational diversity. Third, balancing learning analytics and privacy requires robust policies and legal frameworks that enforce privacy, mitigate ethical risks, and curb data commercialization. Finally, strategies such as advanced security infrastructures, artificial intelligence–driven personalization, and systemic policy reforms align technological innovations with privacy goals, promoting equitable and inclusive digital learning worldwide. The practical implications highlight the urgency of global policies, user-centered privacy technologies, and ethical transparency. Limitations include language and scope limitations, heterogeneity of methods, and reliance on secondary data. Future research should integrate non-English language publications, gray literature, and longitudinal studies while taking a holistic approach to assess cultural, technological, legal, and socioeconomic dimensions. This study highlights the need for systemic collaboration to protect privacy and equity in digital learning environments.