- Some online services offer settings for controlling the data that is collected about you. Many offer you the ability to download any data that the service has collected about you, including browsing and search history, location logs and use of any apps linked to that service. Some services will allow you to toggle personalised advertising or edit lists of interests that affect the type of adverts you see. These settings do not prevent you from seeing adverts, they control whether you see general adverts or those that may be of interest to you.
- When browsing websites, you will frequently see requests to collect cookies. Cookies are small text files created by websites and stored on your device to ensure the website functions properly. Some cookies last just for your visit to the site, others are stored on your device for much longer. Some cookies are created by the website you are browsing (First-party cookies) and others are created by advertisers (Third-party cookies). The purpose of a cookie varies from ‘strictly necessary’ (essential for ensuring the website works properly, such as remembering your items in your cart on a shopping site) to storing your preferences or collecting usage data to improve the website’s functions. They can also be collected for marketing purposes to affect the types of advertising you may see.
- When completing a sign-up form to create an account or to receive communication such as an email newsletter there will be some information that is necessary to collect (such as contact name and email address) and some that may be optional (home address, phone number, age, gender, etc.). Necessary information will often be marked with an asterisk (*) or optional information will be labelled. Under GDPR, consent must be explicitly given, which means that any requests should be written in clear language and any tick boxes should not be already ticked for you.
- When entering competitions or completing a form to receive ‘free’ samples/products/services online, it is important to recognise that these things are not ‘free’ under GDPR; you are giving some of your personal data in order to receive something in return (a free download, an entry into a competition, etc.). For competitions, you should have the option to provide your personal data for the sole purpose of entering the contest.
- When using apps on devices such as computers, smartphones and tablets, these apps will request permission to access your personal data as well as features of your device. For example, a social networking app may request access to contacts (to match you with other users), device storage (to save content you create on the app), camera and microphone (to enable you to take photos,videos and livestream using the app). It may also request access to the device’s location tracking features, view network and Wi-FI connections or access a user’s calendar. In contrast, an online game might only request to access the device storage, location and to receive data from the internet in order to install updates.
Advice:
- Your personal data is important too! Explore the settings for controlling data collection, as well as deleting personal data, on the services that you use.
- Take time to discuss with your students the value of their personal data. Even if they don’t think some of their details are important, explain that they are still valuable to someone else online. Encourage your students to think carefully about the data they give to services online and discuss the differences between necessary (e.g. name, email address) and optional personal data (telephone number, gender, ethnicity, etc.).
- Encourage your students to check with a trusted adult before submitting an online form for a competition or sign-up – this gives that adult an opportunity to review the personal data being shared and to discuss whether it is necessary..
- Help your students to understand what app permissions are and what they allow an app/game to access or do. If appropriate, you may be able to use devices in school to demonstrate where to find permission settings, how they can be used and the types that exist. Alternatively, you could also demonstrate the permissions an app requires by visiting an app store such as Google Play and selecting ‘View Details’ under the ‘Permissions’ heading in ‘Additional Information’. Explain to your students that some permissions are necessary depending on the type of app/game.
- Many social networking apps request access to location tracking features on a device. This may be to collect data but also to permit a user to share their location when using the social network. Highlight to your students that It is wise to turn off location permissions for communication apps that they use so that they cannot accidentally or deliberately share their exact location with other users. Encourage them to ask a parent/carer or another trusted adult to help them adjust these settings on their devices.