Senator urges Google to reverse policy limiting search access for K-12 students

Sen. Edward Markey sent a letter to Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai on Monday urging the company to reverse a policy that blocks Google Search for K-12 student accounts unless the schools also enable Google’s AI-based education tools such as Classroom. The senator said the move puts schools in a difficult position, forcing them to choose between restricting AI chatbots and denying students access to a widely used research platform.

Google said the change is intended to give schools more control over AI use in classrooms, noting that its AI features are now tightly integrated with search and cannot be offered separately. In a blog post announcing the policy, Google vice president and general manager of education Chris Phillips wrote that the company believes schools should have “controls to help them manage their approach.”

"At a time when schools, parents and policymakers are working hard to implement safeguards on AI chatbots for our children, Google is recklessly forcing AI on schools and treating kids like collateral damage," Markey wrote.

"Schools deserve the right to block student access to AI chatbots without also forfeiting access to an important educational tool," he added.

Markey asked whether Google would commit to allowing schools to turn off AI features and chatbots in K-12 accounts while still providing access to Google Search. He also requested that Google disclose any research it has conducted on the impact of its AI tools on students’ mental health. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the senator’s letter.