Education

Is Coursera Safe?

Owned by Coursera Inc. • Last updated January 2026

📋 Short Answer:
Coursera has typical privacy practices for its category. Collects standard data for service operation and may share with partners.
PrivacyDefend Safety Score
5.5/10
Average
Data Collection
🟡 Moderate
Encryption
🟡 Partial
Third-Party Sharing
🔴 Yes
Privacy Controls
🟡 Average

📊 What Data Does Coursera Collect?

Coursera has moderate data collection practices. Here's what they collect:

This level of data collection is typical for apps in the education category.

Why This Matters

The data Coursera collects can be used for personalization, advertising, analytics, and may be shared with third parties. Understanding what's collected helps you make informed privacy decisions.

🔒 Coursera Encryption & Security

Encryption Level: Partial

Encryption in transit and at rest. Not end-to-end encrypted.

What This Means For You

Your data is encrypted during transmission but may be accessible by the company on their servers.

🔗 Does Coursera Share Your Data?

Third-Party Sharing: Yes

Shares data with advertising partners and third-party services. Part of Coursera Inc.'s data ecosystem.

✅ What's Good

  • Partial encryption
  • Average privacy controls

❌ Concerns

  • Moderate data collection
  • Shares data with third parties

🔄 Safer Alternatives to Coursera

Looking for more privacy-focused options? Consider these alternatives:

🛡️ Recommended Privacy Products

Enhance your privacy when using Coursera with these tools:

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our privacy research.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is Coursera safe to use in 2026?
Coursera has typical privacy practices for its category. Collects standard data for service operation and may share with partners.
What data does Coursera collect about me?
Coursera collects: learning progress, submissions, device info. This is considered moderate data collection.
Does Coursera sell my personal data?
Shares data with advertising partners and third-party services. Part of Coursera Inc.'s data ecosystem.
Is Coursera safe for kids?
We recommend parental supervision. Check our detailed analysis for kids.
What are safer alternatives to Coursera?
Consider: . See our alternatives section above.

Last updated: January 2026 • Review by PrivacyDefend Research Team