Is GoGuardian (Beacon / Admin) safe for UK schools?

AI Prefect rates GoGuardian (Beacon / Admin) Red for staff use (Trains on what you type by default, with no school-level opt-out stated) and Red for pupil use (Trains on what you type by default, with no school-level opt-out stated). This is based on the supplier's published documents, last checked 2026-10-23. It is not legal advice; complete your own DPIA.

Does GoGuardian (Beacon / Admin) train on our data?

According to the supplier's published documents: YES - Beacon's own AI continuously trained on real risk data; not used to train third parties' models.

Where is GoGuardian (Beacon / Admin) data stored?

USA (UK Extension to EU-US DPF and UK SCCs).

What age is GoGuardian (Beacon / Admin) for?

Not stated. The supplier does not publish a minimum age we could find.

Is there a safer alternative to GoGuardian (Beacon / Admin)?

Better-rated tools with the same main use and sector: Lightspeed Alert / Filter (amber), Securly (filter and AI Chat) (amber), Impero (classroom management / wellbeing) (amber).

GoGuardian (Beacon / Admin)

GoGuardian · web filtering / self-harm risk detection · Last checked 2026-10-23

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Rating: a rules-based summary of the supplier’s published terms. Not legal advice and not a substitute for a DPIA. How it’s worked out

Staff and pupils: RED Not recommended for school data

Why red:

Trains on what you type by default, with no school-level opt-out stated

How is this rated?

Key facts

Trains on what you type: Yes
Where data is stored: Mixed
Minimum age: Not stated
Use case: Web filtering and online monitoring
Sector: Schools
Research status: Sourced

Safer alternatives

Same main use (Web filtering and online monitoring) and sector, rated better for the same audience. Alternatives are suggested from our published ratings; check they meet your needs. How alternatives are chosen

Staff and pupils

Lightspeed Alert / Filter · Amber
1 caution point: No school DPA found
Securly (filter and AI Chat) · Amber
1 caution point: Data may be stored outside the UK/EU; safeguards not stated
Impero (classroom management / wellbeing) · Amber
3 caution points: Data may be stored outside the UK/EU; safeguards not stated

New here? Each field has a short explanation underneath. Our getting started guide explains what to look for and what to do next.

About the tool

SupplierThe company that makes and runs the tool.: GoGuardian
WebsiteWhere we found the main information about the tool.: https://www.goguardian.com/
CategoryWhat sort of tool it is, for example a chatbot or a lesson-planning helper.: web filtering / self-harm risk detection
Pupil-facingWhether pupils use it directly, or only staff. Pupil use needs extra care.: yes - monitors pupils

Your data

Processor or controllerA processor only uses data on your school’s instructions. A controller makes its own decisions about the data, which means your school has less say.: processor (school is controller)
Where data is storedWhich country the data is stored in. UK or EU storage is usually simpler for schools.: USA (UK Extension to EU-US DPF and UK SCCs)
Trains AI models on inputsWhether what you type (or upload) may be used to improve the supplier’s AI. “No” is what you want for anything about pupils or staff.: YES - Beacon's own AI continuously trained on real risk data; not used to train third parties' models
How long inputs are keptHow long the supplier keeps what you type before deleting it.: not stated

Agreements and contacts

Privacy noticeThe supplier’s privacy notice: their own explanation of what they do with personal data.: https://www.goguardian.com/policies/product-privacy
Data processing agreement (DPA)The data processing agreement: the contract that sets out how the supplier must look after your school’s data.: https://www.goguardian.com/policies/dpa
Signs individual DPAs with schoolsWhether the supplier will sign a data agreement with your school specifically, rather than just standard online terms.: not stated
UK GDPR representative / DPOWhether the supplier names a data protection officer or UK representative you can contact about data questions.: not stated

Age and safety

Minimum ageThe youngest age the supplier allows to use the tool. Check this before any pupil uses it.: not stated
Key safety noteAnything else worth knowing, such as admin controls or content filtering.: student browsing data transferred to the US
Research statusHow complete our research on this tool is.: sourced

Sources

goguardian.comhttps://www.goguardian.com/policies/product-privacy
goguardian.comhttps://www.goguardian.com/policies/dpa
goguardian.comhttps://www.goguardian.com/beacon

Change history

No changes recorded since this entry was first published.

See all recent changes

Quick answers

Is GoGuardian (Beacon / Admin) safe for UK schools?: AI Prefect rates GoGuardian (Beacon / Admin) Red for staff use (Trains on what you type by default, with no school-level opt-out stated) and Red for pupil use (Trains on what you type by default, with no school-level opt-out stated). This is based on the supplier's published documents, last checked 2026-10-23. It is not legal advice; complete your own DPIA.
Does GoGuardian (Beacon / Admin) train on our data?: According to the supplier's published documents: YES - Beacon's own AI continuously trained on real risk data; not used to train third parties' models.
Where is GoGuardian (Beacon / Admin) data stored?: USA (UK Extension to EU-US DPF and UK SCCs).
What age is GoGuardian (Beacon / Admin) for?: Not stated. The supplier does not publish a minimum age we could find.
Is there a safer alternative to GoGuardian (Beacon / Admin)?: Better-rated tools with the same main use and sector: Lightspeed Alert / Filter (amber), Securly (filter and AI Chat) (amber), Impero (classroom management / wellbeing) (amber).

Generated only from the facts above. “Not stated” means the supplier doesn’t publish it.

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Spotted something out of date? Suppliers change their terms. Tell us and we will re-check it. This page is not legal advice; complete your own DPIA.