Privacy of data in education

Abstract

With cheaper mass data storage equipment and computers that can process data with great speeds there is the perception of an increasing danger that the privacy of student data will be violated. Responses to this have varied with countries. Some are in the initial stage of becoming aware of the problem while others have reached the final stage of enacting and enforcing laws that protect the privacy of student data. These national developments are identified and from (his survey there appears to be a trend in many countries towards the acceptance of certain rights as they relate to privacy of student data. They are the rights of notification, access, challenge, prompt correction, erasure, control and finally, the right to redress. These are discussed along with the possible responses and strategies by educational management. The cost and other implications of each of these strategies are also discussed. The cost is estimated based on experience with implementing privacy rights in the government sector and by a simulation cost model for the education sector. Also discussed are the possible consequences for educational management of not complying with the privacy laws. In some countries this could result in fines, imprisonment or both.