Our goal is to champion the access and privacy rights of Ontario’s children and youth by promoting their digital literacy and the expansion of their digital rights while holding institutions accountable for protecting the children and youth they serve.
When signing up on behalf of their students, classroom educators may be agreeing to information management practices by educational service providers that are inconsistent with their school boards’ policies and not compliant with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
The report recommends that educators read privacy policies and terms of service carefully to understand how students’ information may be collected, used and disclosed, and to consult with school officials before selecting online educational services. Educators should also provide students with ongoing guidance on how to configure and use the educational services in privacy-enhancing ways.
Commissioner Brian Beamish presented his submission on Bill 89, Supporting Children, Youth and Families Act, 2017 to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy on Thursday, March 30, 2017.
Educators are using online educational services for student learning, communication and evaluation. While these services may be innovative, accessible and available at little or no cost, their use could put the privacy of students and their families at risk. Sometimes teachers use online services without approval from school administrators, who are responsible for the information management practices of their staff. School boards must ensure online services used by teachers are compliant with Ontario privacy law.
To offer guidance, the IPC has partnered with the Ontario Association of School Business Officials (OASBO) to publish a new brochure that offers information for educators about the potential privacy risks of online educational services. We have also created downloadable posters for use in staff rooms and offices to remind teachers to get approval before using these services.
