Website Dilema

[squeeky]

Currently when its a child or staff members birthday our website congratulates them. The birthday appears like this: Congratulations to Joe (CLASS)

 

and for staff members it appears like this: Congratulations to MR Bloggs (Head Teacher)

 

What I need to know is has the person who designed this website previously breached the data protection act ?? or any other type of act.

 

Thanks

Squeeky

[creese]

As long as a child cannot be identified i.e. full name and photo, there is no problem.

 

Think of it like someone coming up to the school boundary and calling the child over, as that person has seen the photo and now knows the name.

[adhutton]

I suppose it depends on the 'Terms & Conditions' which are applied to the use of such data in your school.

 

This kind of thing exists on Facebook and elsewhere, so I would think that as long as you have the permission of those involved then you shouldn't have any problems.

 

Andrew

[creese]

Teachernet, Creating a school website

[philwaud]

I would say no, there is no breach.

 

You are only sharing the name of the students which are already in the public domain anyway. From the sound of things, you arent even showing that the birthday is actually today (?)

 

If you are concerned, try adding a simple username and password (can be just a quick javascript jobbie), so people have to actually know the password to see whose birthday it is today.

 

Also, run it past your local authority, regardless of the law, its best to follow local practice. They will have a data section, FOI or whatever.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Phil