April 11, 2025 – The National Privacy Commission (NPC) has issued an important reminder to educational institutions and teaching professionals across the Philippines: safeguard your students’ personal data—especially when sharing content online.
This reminder follows the circulation of a video featuring two teachers demonstrating how to dry seal a diploma, where the name and Learner Reference Number (LRN) of an elementary student were inadvertently displayed. This incident has raised serious concerns regarding data privacy and potential violations of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (DPA).
Why This Matters: Understanding Sensitive Personal Information
Under the Data Privacy Act (DPA), student information—including the Learner Reference Number (LRN), full names, and any education-related data—is considered sensitive personal information. This classification demands a higher standard of protection compared to general personal data.
Educational institutions and faculty are legally obligated to handle such data with extreme caution. Accidental disclosure, even if unintentional, may still constitute a breach of privacy rights and expose the school or individuals to legal and administrative consequences.
Best Practices for Protecting Student Data
The NPC strongly encourages teachers, administrators, and school staff to adopt the following data privacy best practices:
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✅ Always redact or blur personal data (such as names, LRNs, or student ID numbers) before sharing images or videos of documents online.
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✅ Use dummy or sample data when demonstrating procedures involving diplomas, report cards, or student records.
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✅ Double-check all content before uploading to social media, websites, or group chats.
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✅ Train faculty and staff on the fundamentals of the Data Privacy Act and their roles as data custodians.
What To Do If Your Data Was Shared Without Consent
If you believe that your or your child’s personal data has been shared without proper consent or a lawful basis, you have the right to take action. The NPC allows affected individuals to file formal complaints through email at:
📧 complaints@privacy.gov.ph
The NPC is committed to protecting the rights of data subjects and ensuring that organizations across all sectors—including education—are held accountable for mishandling sensitive personal data.
Final Reminder: Privacy is Everyone’s Responsibility
As we embrace digital transformation in education, privacy awareness must go hand in hand with innovation. By being cautious and respectful of student information, we not only comply with the law but also foster trust and integrity within our learning communities.
🔐 Let’s protect our learners. Think before you share.