On Campus

Civil liberties group says B.C. school survey violates privacy rights of students

University College of the Fraser Valley refuses to protect students’ privacy in survey: BC Civil Liberties Association

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association says a survey of provincial high school students violates the privacy rights of students.The association has filed a complaint with B.C. Privacy Commissioner David Loukidelis, challenging the use of the Safe School and Social Responsibility Survey.

The association says the survey asks students whether they have committed any criminal acts.

It says while the survey claims to be confidential and anonymous, there are no protections for students from police asking to look at the files and tracking any crimes back to individual students.

Association President Jason Gratl says the University College of the Fraser Valley, which administers the survey, has refused to take steps that would make sure student privacy is protected.

The association is urging school boards across B.C. not to allow the survey.

-with a report from CP 

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