Critics voice concerns over data privacy breaches during the pandemic crisis

In the ongoing digitalization of schools, ensuring the protection of personal data for students and teachers is of paramount importance. This is not a call for "digitalization at any cost," but rather a reminder that adequate data privacy must never be compromised.

Trust in data privacy is key to fostering acceptance of new technologies, and this principle holds particularly true in the context of education. Politicians and supposed experts may claim that the pandemic could be easily controlled if only data privacy were adjusted, but such assertions overlook the essential role data privacy plays in fostering trust and preserving people's rights and freedoms.

Berlin's and Rhineland-Palatinate's data protection commissioners, Maja Smoltczyk and Dieter Kugelmann, have spoken out against increasing attacks on data privacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. They emphasize that data privacy is not an obstacle, but an important regulator and control factor.

The Corona warning app, downloaded more than 25 million times, has demonstrated the importance of trust in data privacy for its widespread use. Users trust that their data won't be misused for unforeseen purposes, a trust that has been well-placed.

However, misconceptions persist about data privacy. After a terrorist attack or when a child pornography ring is dismantled, the claim is often made that data privacy is a shield for criminals and endangers lives. But according to Smoltczyk and Kugelmann, these claims are not true. Data privacy is not a shield for criminals, but a necessary safeguard for individuals' rights and freedoms.

The task of leading the digitalization of schools to ensure protected spaces where students and teachers' personal data is not misused is typically managed by educational ministries or specialized institutions responsible for education and data protection. In Germany, this includes state Ministries of Education (such as the Kultusministerium) and initiatives like the DigitalPakt Schule. Startups like NEONLAB offer GDPR-compliant digital learning management systems to support secure digital education environments.

People are more likely to accept new technologies if they trust that their rights and freedoms will be preserved. By prioritizing data privacy, we can foster trust, acceptance, and a safer digital learning environment for all. After all, protecting data also protects people.