'No excuse' for not getting data protection right

Businesses have "no excuse" for not doing the basics to protect customer information, according to Jersey's data watchdog.

Information Commissioner Paul Vane has been setting out his priorities for the coming years.

He said they included helping businesses avoid security breaches, ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) and safeguarding children's personal data amid increasing use of technology in schools.

Tony Moretta, of the Digital Jersey tech hub, said it was "quite right" for there to be robust data controls, but he hoped it would not put schools off responsible technology use.

Vane said: "There is a mentality here that, because we're surrounded by water, we're automatically protected, nothing can touch us.

"Sadly we're not in that age now... a 12-year-old in another country in their bedroom in their pyjamas can launch a cyber-attack on on a local business.

"There's no excuse why an organisation shouldn't at least have the very basics of data protection right."

Along with cyber-security, the commissioner's report outlined two other areas of focus: AI and children's privacy.

It called for "responsible" and "ethical" use of AI, and warned about the use of the technology for "recruitment, performance and absence management".

It said there were "inherent privacy risks" in this type of usage, including "the misuse of personal information and excessive surveillance".

The report also highlighted children's privacy as a priority, particularly when it came to online educational technology.

It said EdTech (educational technology) was "becoming more widespread in schools, with a huge number of platforms on offer to assist with teaching, personalised learning, coordination of lesson schedules and more".

It said that included things such as AI tutors, assistive technologies and apps.

While the report described the technology as "clearly useful", it also said they came with "significant privacy risks".

Tony Moretta agreed with the need to safeguard children's privacy, but said he hoped increased scrutiny of digital platforms, because of conversations around online harms, would not put schools off using technology to enhance learning.

He said: "What has sneaked into the conversation is the idea that technology is bad, that you shouldn't have technology in schools, with a focus on banning technology and things like that.

"In our view, the focus should be on how you use technology, and how you use it safely.

"There's a big difference between unhealthy use of social media, doom-scrolling and giving people the skills to use AI responsibly... to solve problems."

The education minister was not available for comment.

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