The series currently contains eight pieces of guidance and
several more are planned for the coming months.
Topics covered to date include email marketing, right of access
to examination records, providing account information to third
parties, taking photos in schools, telephone marketing by political
parties, CCTV, charities and marketing, and disclosing information
about tenants.
A note on data protection myths and realities has also been
published on the Information Commissioner’s website to help
highlight common misunderstandings.
Assistant Commissioner Phil Jones said: “We want to provide a
practical, clear set of advice to help individuals understand their
rights in everyday situations and ensure organisations don’t use
the Data Protection Act as an excuse not to do something, but
rather see it as good business sense to treat their customers and
their information with respect."
The watchdog has also clarified the seasonal question of whether
data protection prevents parents from taking photographs of their
child and friends at the annual school nativity play. The answer:
photographs taken purely for personal use are exempt from the Data
Protection Act.
Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Bamford explained:
“Parents, friends and family members can
take photographs of their child and friends participating in school
activities for the family album. They can also film events at
school. Fear of breaching the provisions of the Data Protection Act
should not be wrongly used to stop people taking photographs or
filming videos.”
The Data Protection Act does apply where photographs are taken
for official use by schools and colleges, such as for identity
passes, and where these images are stored with personal details
such as names.
In the very small number of circumstances where the Data
Protection Act does apply, says the ICO, it will usually be enough
to ensure compliance if the photographer seeks permission.
Photographs taken by the media are usually exempt from the Act.
Further details can be found in the Good Practice Note on taking
photos in schools.
