DGB 1: Personal Information and Privacy
Personal information is information that can identify a person directly or indirectly. Students should learn to recognise such information, decide whether sharing it is necessary and understand who may be able to see it.
Curriculum reference
[Bearbeiten]| Area | Classification |
|---|---|
| Competence area | Communication |
| Focus | Privacy and responsible handling of personal information |
| Competence | Recognise personal information and use appropriate measures to protect one's own privacy and the privacy of others. |
Learning objectives
[Bearbeiten]Students can:
- explain what personal information is;
- recognise that several pieces of information can identify a person when combined;
- distinguish ordinary personal information from particularly sensitive information;
- recognise photos, voice recordings, location, school details and usernames as potentially personal information;
- describe risks of careless sharing;
- use basic protective measures such as strong passwords, screen locks and privacy settings;
- assess whether app permissions are necessary;
- respect other people's privacy when posting or forwarding content;
- apply the principle of data minimisation.
Learning content
[Bearbeiten]What is personal information?
[Bearbeiten]Examples include a person's name, date of birth, address, telephone number, email address, school, photograph, voice, username or location. A single item may not always identify someone, but several details together may do so.
Particularly sensitive information
[Bearbeiten]Passwords, exact home addresses, private telephone numbers, bank or identification details, health information, precise location and security codes require particular care. Such information should not be published or sent simply because a service asks for it.
Digital traces
[Bearbeiten]Online activities can leave traces. Posts, likes, searches, uploaded photos, location data and account activity may be stored or processed by services. Before sharing information, it is useful to ask who needs it, who can see it and how long it might remain available.
App permissions and settings
[Bearbeiten]Many apps ask for access to the camera, microphone, photos, contacts or location. A permission should match the app's task. A navigation service may reasonably need location data for route guidance; a simple torch app would not normally need access to contacts.
Operating systems provide overviews of permissions. Changes should be made consciously, because removing a necessary permission can limit a function.
Passwords and account protection
[Bearbeiten]A strong, unique password helps protect an account. Passwords and security codes should not be shared. Screen locks and, where available and appropriate, additional account-protection methods can further reduce unauthorised access.
Posting, sharing and forwarding
[Bearbeiten]Privacy also applies to other people. A photograph, message or recording should not simply be forwarded or published without considering whether the person concerned has agreed and whether the context is appropriate.
Data minimisation
[Bearbeiten]Data minimisation means providing only the information that is actually necessary for a task. This supports privacy and helps users retain more control over their personal information.
Classroom activities
[Bearbeiten]Data traffic light
[Bearbeiten]Task: Classify example information as generally shareable, requiring caution or highly sensitive. Explain your choices.
Check app permissions
[Bearbeiten]Task: Examine a prepared list of app permissions and decide which permissions are plausible for each app's function.
Solve case studies
[Bearbeiten]Situations such as a public profile, forwarded photograph, weak password, location post or open class chat are analysed.
Task: Describe which data are involved, what risk exists and which protective measure would be appropriate.
Expected outcome: A complete case analysis with a specific recommendation.
Design a safe profile
[Bearbeiten]Task: Create a fictional profile that contains enough information for its purpose without revealing unnecessary personal details.
Self-check
[Bearbeiten]- I can recognise personal information.
- I can identify particularly sensitive information.
- I can assess app permissions more consciously.
- I know basic ways to protect accounts and devices.
- I respect other people's privacy and use data minimisation.