Concerns about children's data on daycare apps

The rise of apps linked to childcare centres gives crucial reassurance to worried parents that children are safe and happy at daycare. Throughout the day, educators snap pictures of activities and upload them to the app.

But what happens to the pictures and sensitive documents accumulated over the years on these apps?

Some parents, like Niels Wouters, are finding out that when your child graduates to big school, their data doesn't automatically go with them.

Statement from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner:

The OAIC does not comment on individual complaints. The OAIC considers complaints in accordance with its privacy regulatory action strategy,

The OAIC has received some complaints related to apps used by schools and childcare centres. While we won’t comment on the particularities of those matters, it should be noted that under the Privacy Act, there is not currently an absolute right to request one’s personal information be destroyed or erased.

However, the OAIC is currently drafting the Children’s Online Privacy Code, which will expand on the existing requirements of the Privacy Act as it relates to children’s personal information. The OAIC is exploring including online services that process significant amounts of children’s information, like apps used by schools and childcare centres, in the scope of the Code.