A GROUP of public and private institutions issued guidelines to protect the privacy of students during online classes.

The guidelines cover data protection on the use of learning management systems and online productivity platforms.

The Data Privacy Council Education Sector said that its recommendations should and “not be treated as some type of policy.”

“Each educational institution retains the prerogative to decide on the measures it shall deem appropriate for its context,” the group said.

It recommended that the use of webcams should be optional if the student is a minor. Parents or guardians should give their consent before students participate in video teleconferencing.

“When the student is a minor, consider having the parent or legal guardian present during these recorded classes or sessions,” the group said.

Personal data, such as grades or results of assignments, should only be seen by its intended recipient, while the submission of data should be carried out in a safe and secure manner.

The National Privacy Commission had said that online learning should be carried out with privacy in mind.

“Educational institutions must choose an online learning platform with the best security features and one that is most capable of protecting students’ privacy. Consider if the platform meets the requirements of the Data Privacy Act before letting students use them,” NPC chairman Raymund Liboro said.

The DPCES is composed of representatives from public and private institutions such as San Beda University, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of the Philippines-Manila, University of the Philippines-Cebu, Technological University of the Philippines, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, University of Perpetual Help-Dalta, University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi, Central Mindanao University, Laguna State Polytechnic University and Ateneo de Iloilo.