Radical step for digital privacy in schools

The Ministry of National Education (MEB) has imposed significant obligations on school administrations within the framework of 10 new security rules prepared by the General Directorate of Information Technology. In accordance with these rules, which were prepared in compliance with the Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK), official and provincial organizations in 81 provinces will be required to act meticulously regarding the protection of students' digital privacy. Thus, a new era has begun against practices in schools that were carried out with good intentions but compromised data security.

This step, taken following the digital privacy debates that have been on the public agenda for some time, has brought significant changes to the official websites and social media accounts of all educational institutions. From now on, information such as students' class lists, school or identification numbers, exam grades, and academic performance status will never be allowed to appear on the internet.

The instructions sent to the institutions also stated that the sharing of any documents containing personal information, such as attendance charts, health data, disciplinary records, and academic rankings, has been prevented. Student and parent contact information, as well as all photographs belonging to teachers and students, have also been brought under protection within this scope.

In mandatory cases, the condition of obtaining written and explicit consent from the relevant student's parents or guardians has been introduced for the publication of photographs or videos documenting educational activities. Announcements will now be prepared using methods that do not contain personal data.

School administrations have been given the task of a comprehensive digital cleanup that covers not only new posts but also content published in the past. It has been requested that old content containing personal data or student photographs on all websites and social media accounts be identified and removed without delay. School and institution administrators will be personally responsible for reviewing both web and social media channels in detail and resolving any non-compliance.

The Ministry has also implemented strict measures regarding the use of information technology systems. School administrators, teachers, administrative staff, and officials of driving schools or rehabilitation centers using the systems have been instructed not to share their passwords and access codes with other people under any circumstances. The use of bots, macros, plugins, or unauthorized third-party software while performing operations in Ministry systems is strictly prohibited.

Every type of access, transaction, and data transfer made in MEB information systems will now be monitored moment by moment through the system. In the event that password sharing or unauthorized access is detected, administrative and legal proceedings will be promptly initiated against the relevant person.

Finally, mandatory awareness training has been initiated for all teachers and administrators regarding system security and the protection of personal data. Participation in these trainings will be provided through the Teacher Informatics Network (ÖBA), and educational institutions will be expected to show full compliance in this regard.

News Source: 12punto