Parents who want to take photos of their children in school plays
or at sports days can once again snap happily away.
The privacy watchdog says authorities that have banned parents taking
shots for the family album are wrongly interpreting the rules.
Relatives wanting to take pictures at nativity plays, sports days
or other public events are often told that doing so would breach the
Data Protection Act.
But the Office of the Information Commissioner has said this interpretation
of the law is simply wrong.
It decreed that any picture taken for the family photograph album
would normally be acceptable.
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This guidance can now be used by parents and grandparents to challenge
'barmy' rulings relating to the upcoming school sports day season.
Deputy Information Commissioner David Smith said: 'We recognise that
parents want to capture significant moments on camera.
'We want to reassure them and other family members that whatever they
might be told, data protection does not prevent them taking photographs
of their children and friends at school events.
