Sync Passphrase enabled for student

[cdavid]

Fairly new Google Admin here, so forgive me if there is already a known solution for this issue!

We are trying to look into a (middle school)student's browsing history to identify a questionable game website they have visited, but when we log in to their account, their Google sync data is encrypted with a sync passphrase. Is there any way to disable this on the admin side, or even control/prevent a sync passphrase from being used in the first place? 

[MattFeider · Accepted solution]

we ran into similar last year...and nope, no way to get around that unless the student volunteers the information...it is working as intended by Google.  you can only use alternate tools, such as your webfilter, firewall, etc. to obtain info.

there is also no google admin method to control enable/disable of this feature...so in most cases you need to plan for the eventuality that kids will turn this on.  and for school districts with GDPR and such enforced it is necessary

Matt

[cdavid]

Thanks for the info, Matt! 

[Kim_Nilsson]

What a security aware student!

As mentioned, the only way to properly keep track of web activity is with a forced install of a third-party web filter. You should never count on gaining access to the local built-in web history, as it always requires knowledge of the current password used on the device. You could even disable it for students, if you want, and don't get pushback from them.