Personal Data Processing in Teaching Using Modern Instruments of Group
Electronic Communication since the COVID-19 Pandemic
Abstract
The goal of the article has been to identify general risks of
universities and faculties that are arising to them regarding the
personal data in teaching, research and development based on the social
and technological transformation during (and possibly after) the
COVID-19 pandemic. Academic activities involve online and blended
teaching using the online modern instruments of group electronic
communication. The identified risks were based on the review of the
literature and legal acts with quantitative research including 959
respondent questionnaires, validated through 7 structured interviews.
The first risk involves a potential personal data breach in online
communication. The second risk is a potential lack of a data protection
training for employees, professors, or students, specifically including
the training for employees on the safe leading of online meetings. The
third risk involves a default public pre-setting of public access to
accounts, files and folders (instead of private pre-setting). The fourth
risk involves an insufficient awareness regarding the importance of
getting to know privacy policies on various tools or websites and
privacy settings in tools. Based on our research, we have come to
conclusion that academic institutions should tighten up measures as well
as practices regarding the aforementioned risks in order to comply with
the GPDR regulation.