Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to issue guidance to schools, early years providers and other settings attended by children on the use of camera-enabled smart glasses and other discreet wearable recording devices on their premises.

Schools and other education providers are responsible for considering their obligations under data protection law where camera enabled smart glasses or other wearable recording devices are used. Such devices may raise issues around transparency, privacy and the recording of personal data, particularly where children are involved.

The department already provides data protection guidance on the taking, using and storing of images such as photographs, video and CCTV in schools and, while not specific to wearable technologies, the underlying principles are technology neutral and remain relevant.

The existing data protection guidance can apply to these technologies, and provides future proofing advice that settings may wish to refer to when considering whether emerging recording capabilities give rise to any additional risks as part of their wider data protection and safeguarding arrangements. This guidance provides advice for settings on producing a policy not just for setting staff, but also for dealing with parents, carers and visitors within the school boundaries.