Data Privacy Week 2026 provides an opportunity for the CDSBEO to reaffirm our ongoing commitment to protecting the privacy of our students, while aligning with the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s (IPC) theme, “Prioritize Privacy by Design.” In today’s digital learning environment, technology offers significant opportunities to support student learning, engagement, and well-being. At the same time, it can introduce risks to personal privacy. As educators, we have a responsibility to ensure that privacy is thoughtfully built into the digital tools and practices we use, and to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

Fundamental Privacy Rights

We recognize that all children and youth have fundamental privacy rights. Students’ personal information is especially sensitive and must be handled with care. Upholding these rights is essential to maintaining trust and ensuring safe, respectful learning environments.

Protecting Privacy by Design

The CDSBEO is committed to embedding privacy protections into our digital practices from the outset. This includes:

• Acting in the best privacy interests of students at all times.
• Collecting, using, and disclosing only the personal information that is necessary to fulfill our educational responsibilities.
• Ensuring websites, applications, and digital tools are configured with the most privacy-protective settings by default.
• Requiring strong privacy safeguards when working with third-party providers of digital education tools and services.
• Assessing privacy risks before adopting new digital tools or services.
• Using clear, accessible language to explain privacy practices and choices to students, parents, and guardians.
• Offering meaningful consent options at appropriate times, when they are most relevant.
• Responding promptly to privacy breaches and taking steps to mitigate potential impacts.

In addition, the CDSBEO Digital Discipleship Administrative Procedure provides guidance for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 on responsible and ethical technology use. It supports students in understanding their online responsibilities and fosters positive digital citizenship grounded in Catholic values. The procedure, including the Responsible Use of Technology Agreement for Students, is available in Administrative Procedure 1015 – Digital Discipleship.

A Shared Responsibility

Data Privacy Week reminds us that protecting personal information is a shared responsibility. By prioritizing privacy by design, we strengthen trust, promote transparency, and create safer digital learning environments. Together, we can ensure that students benefit fully from digital learning opportunities while being equipped to navigate the digital world with confidence, care, and security.

For more information about CDSBEO’s privacy practices, please visit Privacy and Personal Information – Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario – CDSBEO