My contact details being shared with DS’s class

[NameChangerDanger]

DS recently started primary school. There’s a WhatsApp parents group that I’m a member of, but have no inclination to actively use.

A message has come through from one of the parents saying that it’s assumed we’re all ok with our details being compiled into a list and put into book bags

Another parent has asked what details this will include and it’s child’s full name, parent’s full name, contact number and e-mail address. It’s going to be sent out tomorrow or the next day unless people actively object.

I am really quite annoyed by this. My mobile number is obviously available via the WhatsApp group, but I haven’t given my e-mail address out to everyone on the list or given permission for this list to be created. AIBU?

Yes I am confused as to why this is necessary if they are all already on the WA group? But regardless she needs consent from the people involved to distribute their information which I don't think is too much to ask tbh.

YABU

Just say no, or please only share the details you're happy with.

My DS class list is only used for birthday party invitations and Christmas cards. Although it doesn't have email addresses, just kids name, parents name and phone number.

There's 2 kids whose details aren't on the class list and parents not in WhatsApp group (30 kids in class only 28 names on list) so sadly they don't get invitations and Christmas cards. I think last year I tried to get my DS to tell me but he said he couldn't remember her name! Perhaps there are safeguarding reasons. But I'd feel really sad for the kids not to be on the list if it was just because the parents didn't like the idea.

Actually you have handled it perfectly said no and ensured that everyone who might of had concerns it protected.

My Ds now on secondary on his class WhatsApp group one child was talking about the parent group , turns out their are about 4 of them who have names it parent group to our class 🤣.

For everyone telling me to just say no- that’s exactly what I did. I also flagged it to the teacher very briefly to make sure there weren’t going to be serious ramifications for anyone.

I created the post because I was interested in views and whether people were generally alive to the issues this raises. I expected about 10 responses

We don't have a WhatsApp group or lists of parents contact details at my dc's school. I've had dc at school for 9 years and managed very well without them. I'm curious about what a class rep is though. My ds1 is the class rep for his tutor group (year 9) and he gets to go to meetings where they discuss fundraising, trips, bullying etc but I've never heard of a parent class rep before.

Would the school even allow lists of parents contact details to go into book bags? Pretty sure DC’s school would not allow this. Tell the school that you refuse to do this.

I thought the parents in DD’s class were bad enough but thankfully we don’t have a what’s app group! I like to keep myself to myself!

This is normal in all my DC classes. Parents complete the form and give to the class rep. We have a whats app group and email group too. Helps arrange rotas for xmas fair, summer fair, birthday parties, play dates etc etc.

Ours too.

So if you can identify an individual by their email address or using that together with other info there then it counts as personal data

Thank you @dayslikethese1 so, if my email address is jane.smith@gmail it counts as personal data, if it's coconuttelgraph@gmail it isn't - is that right?

A pp said that most schools she knows of have parent groups with such an arrangement for communication. Well, I've asked my teacher friends who between us work in over 30 schools, and only 1 teacher said her reception class have this, but that school have nothing to do with it and do mot distribute anything via book bags. So jo, it's not a 'thing' every school does.

To the pp who said 2 children from the class don't get invites or cards at Christmas because their names aren't on the class list, shame on you! Our classes bring in cards they have signed and the children spend some time addressing the envelopes to their friends in the classroom then give the cards out. Where parents are inviting the whole class to parties, again they just send in a set of invites whichever their child hands out at home time. What a pity you can't be as far sighted to think to do this in order to ensure you don't leave out two children from a class party.

These lists are incredibly useful. Aside from the rare person hiding from an ex, I don’t really understand the objection.

Perhaps this will help.

ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/key-definitions/

From my reading of this, GDPR does not apply to private individuals so the parent cannot be breaching GDPR. Nor does he/she need to go and register with ICO. That's for a business to do.

I think if you were setting up, say a paid Sunday afternoon table tennis club, then the rules might come into play but not for this.

Those who are experts in this may contradict me

which the question really isn't that she's breaching gdpr herself, it's a question of where did the data come from? They're the people responsible for the breach. Given it's class specific and has parent details as well as child details on it, it's likely to have come from the school itself which are accountable to ICO.

We had this at our school
Some parent thought it was a good idea
My name/child’s name
Address
Phone number
Email
Place of work
Phone number of work

I point blank refused to allow my name in their piece of paper and she made it clear she wasn’t happy and I was being unreasonable (tough)

I walked into class a week later to find all this info on the classroom wall!

I made sure it didn’t stay there long!

You have been given the opportunity to opt out so I don't see the issue. If they had just sent it out without giving you an option then it would be an issue.

How are people able to work out the value of houses if you don’t let your address be published.

Publishing addresses and work details is unnecessary but I can't seem the harm in an email address and telephone number. If the email address needs to be top secret as one poster suggested above, surely such secretive people have at least two email addresses? One for strictly personal use which is only given to the sacred few and one for signing up to websites, school groups etc?

How are people able to work out the value of houses if you don’t let your address be published

Thankfully no addresses on this list, but everyone knows where I live anyway. It’s right next to the school and several other mums routinely fall out of it on Gin Fridays come over for play dates, so we’re not exactly stealthy. Another reason that nobody needs my phone number or e-mail address on a list!

GDPR does not apply to private individuals so the parent cannot be breaching GDPR

Nope, but it does apply to the school (who are the ones OP gave her full contact details to).

I would assume the parent that sent the message has tried to be nicey nicey and worded it badly not quite realising the impact of gdpr issues.

They've sent you a message asking if you consent. You don't, so just say no. End of.

Unless the school is mad, no details will be shared unless they have your consent.

but I assume school are involved as I haven’t told the parents my DS’s surname.

I wouldn't assume school was involved tbh though. In my experience schools don't usually encourage the groups - infant many discourage them. I know some exist for the school I teach at but we have made it very clear that these are unofficial groups, cannot use our school logo or in any way come across as being school endorsed, and that we have no control over them. We definitely don't pass information to anyone.

Re your child's surname - surely his classmates may well know that. Wd don't keep surnames secret in class and from the other children.

If you want to be involved and see the group messages - I can see why they can be useful, though have also heard of negative issues too - just agree to certain information being used (your first name, your child's first name) and set up an email specifically for this use only.

Re your child's surname - surely his classmates may well know that. Wd don't keep surnames secret in class and from the other children.

The children wouldn’t be able to spell it! It took me a while before I got it right consistently (DS has DH’s surname)

Whatsapp sounds quite dangerous in the extreme

Yes, I put it up there with climate change, Brexit and the growth of terrorism and the far right...

They should get permission first and not assume anything. We had this - it facilitated play date arranging etc. But some people only put their mobile number on and some didn’t do it at all.
The school should not be giving out ANY information about children and parents contact details - you opt in , not out.

Flagrant & serious breach of GDPR - expressly deny consent. They CAN'T do it.