UK Government Has Database on Students’ Sexual Orientation and Religious Identity
A Freedom of Information request from Buzzfeed has revealed the UK government is storing data on millions of students, often without their knowledge, on their sexual orientation and religious beliefs.
According to Buzzfeed the Department for Education (DfE) has the names sexual orientations of 3.2 million students, and the names and religious beliefs of 3.7 million students. They’ve also been keeping this data for after the students have graduated.
“We take data protection extremely seriously and we keep all personal information safe – in line with legal requirements,” a spokesperson for DfE said.
“The information collected by HESA and shared with the department is done so we can meet our public sector obligations to carry out equalities impact assessment.
“These particular data items, which students don’t have to provide, are not shared by us outside of the department.”
However,Jim Killock, executive director of digital campaigning organisation Open Rights Group,pointed out that it was “simply unclear and unfair to be collecting and sharing information like this”.
“People should opt in when data is shared,” he added. “It shouldn’t be passed from one organisation to another in this way, unless that is made clear and agreed upfront.”
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