← Years 5–6 Data & Information

Privacy check for a data project

A review of a data project that asks if you have consent, only collect what you need, hide names, and store the data safely, before you share it.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Data, Information and Privacy — Module 46, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Digital footprint and privacy — Module 18, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Data privacy and the Australian Privacy Principles — Module 24, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Digital Footprints and Data Minimisation — Module 56, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Privacy Principles and Digital Footprints — Module 42

Understanding Privacy check for a data project in Years 5–6 Data & Information

What it does: A privacy check on a survey looks at necessity. The survey only asks for data needed for its purpose. Safe storage means only the right people can reach the data, for example with passwords and sharing permissions. Do the check before sharing. Once data is shared, it can be hard to take it back. A missing consent answer means the plan needs to be improved. Ask first, then collect or use the data.

Common mistakes: The survey only needs favourite sport. Asking for a phone number collects data you do not need. It should be collect = ['sport']. A spreadsheet is only safe to share when names are hidden or removed. It should be share_ok = not has_names.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

🖨 Print worksheet + answer key Add Privacy check for a data project to a class →

This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 31–56) and word search (Modules 21–56).

Take this worksheet further — free with Cloodit

Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
Which question belongs on a privacy check for a data project?
Did people agree to share their data?Which colour chart looks the prettiest?
Matches
Plan: Share the spreadsheet with names and home addresses, then ask for permission later
↓
Consent is asked for after collecting the data, and the plan collects more than it needs. Ask first, remove the addresses and hide the names.
Applying
Meanings
Term
privacy check
Meaning
A review of a data project that asks if you have consent, only collect what you need, hide names, and store the data safely, before you share it.
Practice
Privacy check for our class survey
Testing
Gaps
Check 1: Did people give ?
Check Answer
Spots
1purpose = 'favourite sport'
2collect = ['sport', 'phone']

Cloodit turns curriculum-aligned coding content into journeys students work through one biome at a time.

The 'Constellation Wolf' badge — Space Legend, one of Cloodit's 106 collectible badges
Students earn collectable badges

Over 100 of them, across seven natural biomes.

Study Buddy
Students build a real study resource

Turns their work into revision material ready for Flash Cards and Exam study.

Diamond Dash — one of Cloodit's live, competitive Sprint games
Students lock in with Sprints

Live, competitive practice for the start of the lesson or a teacher-led lesson finisher.

A Cloodit certificate of achievement, ready to personalise and print
Custom printable certificates

Honour your top performers, or encourage a student who's trying hard — ready to print in seconds.

Add to class →

Quick Questions

1. Which question belongs on a privacy check for a data project?
A. Did people agree to share their data? ✓
B. Which colour chart looks the prettiest?
A privacy check asks about consent. People should know about and agree to the data you collect.
2. You are reviewing a class survey. Which question is better to keep?
A. What is your home address?
B. What is your favourite sport? ✓
Only collect the data you need. A home address is not needed to find the favourite sport, and it is personal data.
3. Before sharing a spreadsheet, what should you check?
A. Names are removed or hidden ✓
B. Names are made bigger and bold
A privacy check looks for anonymity. Hiding or removing names helps protect people before you share.
4. Which plan keeps the survey data safe?
A. Leave it on a shared computer with no password
B. Save it in a folder only your team can open ✓
Safe storage means only the right people can reach the data, for example with passwords and sharing permissions.
5. When should you do a privacy check?
A. Before you share the data ✓
B. After everyone has already seen it
Do the check before sharing. Once data is shared, it can be hard to take it back.

Match the Pairs

Do I have consent? → A privacy check question that asks if people agreed to share their data before you collect or use it
Is my data anonymous? → A privacy check question that asks if names and other details that show who someone is have been hidden or removed
Reviewing a survey: only ask for what you need, so a class pet survey asks for favourite pet but not home address → Q1: Favourite pet? (no address question)
Reviewing a spreadsheet before sharing: replace names with codes so no one can tell who gave each answer → Name: Mia -> Student 1
Plan: Share the spreadsheet with names and home addresses, then ask for permission later → Consent is asked for after collecting the data, and the plan collects more than it needs. Ask first, remove the addresses and hide the names.
Plan: Save the survey answers on a public page that anyone can open → The data is not stored safely. Save it in a private place and only share it with people who need it.

Key Term

privacy check
A review of a data project that asks if you have consent, only collect what you need, hide names, and store the data safely, before you share it.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Check 1: Did people give consent?
Hint: Type the word for people agreeing to let you collect their data.
2. Check 2: Do I only collect what I need?
Hint: Type the word for data that is really necessary for the project.
3. Check 3: Remove names to make data anonymous
Hint: Type the word for data that cannot be linked to a person.
4. Check 4: Is the data stored safely?
Hint: Type the word that describes keeping data protected from others.
5. Before sharing, delete the Name column
Hint: Type the spreadsheet column heading that could identify people.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A purpose = 'favourite sport'
B collect = ['sport', 'phone']
C consent = True
Line B — The survey only needs favourite sport. Asking for a phone number collects data you do not need. It should be collect = ['sport'].
Question 2
A headers = ['id', 'age']
B has_names = False
C share_ok = has_names
Line C — A spreadsheet is only safe to share when names are hidden or removed. It should be share_ok = not has_names.
Question 3
A if consent_given == False:
B collect_data()
C else:
D print('Do not collect')
Line A — Data should only be collected when consent has been given. The check should be consent_given == True.
Question 4
A needed = ['year', 'pet']
B extra = ['surname', 'photo']
C collect = needed + extra
Line B — A privacy check says to collect only what you need. The extra list should stay empty, so extra = [].
Question 5
A file = 'survey.csv'
B password_set = True
C shared_publicly = True
D safe = not shared_publicly
Line C — Safe storage means the data file is not shared publicly. It should be shared_publicly = False.

Student with a class code? Join your class →