Is video redaction valuable in educational settings?
Video redaction is essential for protecting student privacy. The importance of video redaction cannot be overstated. Data redaction (data masking) involves careful editing and obscuring of visual content to shield students from exposure and maintain confidentiality.
Video redaction is a valuable tool in educational settings, where there is a necessity to balance security with privacy. By obscuring personally identifiable information (PII) and sensitive information within video footage, educational institutions can foster a secure and trusted environment for students, and at the same time comply with strict data protection regulations.
Surveillance technology in schools
Digital technology is integrated into many aspects of our daily lives. In schools, the use of video monitoring helps to create safe learning environments. However, the adoption of CCTV raises questions about student privacy, family rights, ethical considerations and compliance with data protection regulations.
Security cameras in schools are deterrents against disruptive behaviour, bullying and other forms of misconduct, and can detect accidents and the presence of unauthorised personnel.
Video security systems enable prompt responses to disturbances, which provides safer school environments for students, parents, staff and the faculty.
What can schools achieve with video redaction?
Today’s video redaction technologies extend beyond simple pixelation and encompass advanced techniques that blur, mask or eliminate specific elements to prevent unauthorised access to, or misuse of recorded material.
By publishing privacy policies and adopting a meticulous approach to ensure that student identities are safeguarded, educators eliminate the risk of privacy breaches and promote a culture of respect for personal privacy within educational frameworks.
At a time of heightened concerns about data security and privacy infringement, the adoption of reliable video redaction practices supports educators’ efforts to maintain student confidentiality, protect sensitive information, and build trust between educational institutions and their stakeholders.
Video redaction solutions serve as a proactive measure to navigate the complex matter of student privacy protection.
By adopting video redaction, schools can achieve a balance technology and privacy, without compromising the personal data integrity of students.
Privacy rights of people under 18 years of age
Students in the United States under the age of 18 have privacy rights protected by laws and statutes under the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
FERPA laws are intended to prevent information being distributed that could personally identify a student, except as allowed by law.
Personally identifiable information (PII) includes addresses, social security numbers, faces and any details that could single the student out from others.
Policies, transparency and consent
Consent must be given by individuals when a school records events. Policies must be available and clear communication is required to ensure that students, staff and visitors understand why video recording is in place, how footage is used, and what privacy rights they have.
Staff must be trained by schools about compliance obligations, such as consent and data sharing requirements, in order to foster a culture of privacy and accountability.
Student privacy in school and out
Federal government mandates for the privacy of minors apply in all circumstances. As a result, privacy regulations apply not only to a student’s education records but also to video footage that captures movement in school or when engaged in school-related activities
For example, an altercation that takes place on a school bus would be covered by FERPA privacy protection. Therefore, permission would be needed from all people in the video, or video redaction would be needed to facilitate compliant release of the footage.
Cost-effective video redaction
Video redaction is the process of locating PII in video footage and completely blurring or blocking the PII while other scenes remain visible.
The most effective way to manage costs, protect data and limit calls on staff time, is to deploy video redaction software in-house.
Today’s AI-driven redaction software locates and redacts information automatically. Redaction software eliminates human error and compliant video output is produced in minutes rather than hours.
FERPA compliance software
Using video redaction software is the best way for a school district to avoid violating a student’s privacy and FERPA rights. The software creates a way for a district to pool compliance resources and preserve budgets that could be better allocated.
Video redaction software also enables schools to respond positively and compliantly to requests from parents and students over the age of 18 when they request to view video footage that includes people other than themselves.
Being able to supply compliant video footage means that schools avoid cost and disruption when parents seek permission to view videos through the courts.
By adopting video redaction software, schools can allow parents and third parties to review compliant footage, which is far preferable to releasing unredacted information that risks violating FERPA.
Video redaction efficiency
A great benefit of video redaction is that it safeguards people’s privacy and at the same time preserves the integrity of recorded material.
Automated redaction software is fast and accurate. Automation eliminates the need for manual video redaction, which is time-consuming and prone to errors. In-house video redaction tools are cost-effective when compared with manual editing and outsourcing to redaction bureaus.
Conclusion: video redaction protects student privacy
There are significant benefits to recording school events. Video redaction enables schools to comply with legal and ethical requirements, and to record school events without risk of privacy breaches.
Video redaction helps schools to protect sensitive information, and the privacy of students, staff and anyone captured in school video recordings.
Facit’s Identity Cloak is a powerful compliance tool that enables schools to redact video footage accurately, reliably and rapidly. Identity Cloak enables schools to remove all PII from video footage.
Ask us about our years of experience helping schools to meet their compliance obligations and protect student privacy.
