The Government published today (October 18) the Report on Public Consultation on Review of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO) and launched further public discussions on the legislative proposals to strengthen personal data privacy protection under the PDPO. The PDPO, enacted in 1995, requires updating in order to afford adequate protection to personal data privacy…
Category: Laws
Is the Family Education Rights Privacy Act a protective shield or an excuse?
The Freedom of Information Committee of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) recently urged Congress to revise the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Their proposal, if adopted, would likely water down privacy protections for both students and parents. The resolution states: Whereas, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, called “FERPA,” was…
Coming soon to your pharmacy: Police accessing your prescription records
From The Associated Press: Starting next year, dozens of states will begin knitting together databases to watch prescription drug abuse, from powerful painkillers to diet pills. With federal money and prodding, states are being asked to sign onto an agreement allowing police, pharmacies and physicians to check suspicious prescription pill patterns from Nevada to North…
No right to know for bullying?
I’m no longer amazed when journalists occasionally report as news that schools cannot reveal disciplinary outcomes of students due to FERPA. In today’s installment, Michael Brindley reports: When students are disciplined for bullying, privacy laws prevent school officials from telling victims and their parents what action was taken, Superintendent Mark Conrad said last week. During…