Dear All,
Sorry for any cross-postings, but I have been alerted to an issue which could have considerable bureaucratic consequences. The issue is relevant to anybody who is taking photographic images of people for County Council business purposes, including images of archaeological work and sites. There are potentially wide ranging implications here and we all need to take the issue seriously.
It arises from the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998. Basically, written consent must be obtained for taking, storing and using photographs of groups or individuals as this can be deemed to be personal data. A consent form must be used by anyone commissioning or taking such photographs. This applies not only to formal photocalls, press releases, publicity events etc but also to photography in more informal situations if this is to be used for County Council purposes. Any personal images taken must only be used for a period up to two years after which they must be destroyed. Therefore, it is likely that all pictures of people on sites would need consent forms, and it is possible that photographs of diggers taken for public record / archive purposes would need to be destroyed two years after they were taken.
I would be grateful if some formal clarification could be obtained from the DP Registrar on this issue. Let me know if I shouldn't be alarmed at this bonkers bureaucracy.
Cheers,
Neil
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North Yorkshire County Council.
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