Latvian Privacy Watchdog Advises on Data Processing of Students' Academic Achievements
The Latvian Data State Inspectorate published advice for protecting children's personal data when schools post academic accomplishments obtained from educational information systems. Processing children's data must be done for the benefit of the student, it said. If the reason for the processing is to showcase the best students and rank each pupil's place among classmates to motivate them to work harder, the data processing isn't proportionate because it could lead to harassment of poorer students.
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Instead, the regulator said, information about each child's achievements and ranking should be given to that child and his parents. If a school finds a positive way to inform others about scholastic achievements in a reasonable manner on a class- or school-wide basis, it should first notify parents of the plan and give them a chance to express their views and refuse the processing.