← Years 7–8 Data & Information

Auditing the data an existing system collects

A table that lists each piece of data a system collects, how it is collected (typed in or automatic) and what it is used for. It shows the system's footprint.

Part of: 7-8 Digital Technologies: Digital footprint and privacy — Module 12, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Digital Footprints and Data Minimisation — Module 20

Understanding Auditing the data an existing system collects in Years 7–8 Data & Information

What it does: Data the user types in is active collection, so the audit row says typed in and gives a purpose. The visitor does not enter this data. The site collects it automatically, so the row is marked automatic. Data you type or choose yourself is collected actively. You know you are giving it. Passive collection happens in the background. You do not type it in, so you may not notice it. The audit makes the system's footprint visible by listing every piece of data it collects. Each piece of data needs its own row so you can check how it is collected and used.

Common mistakes: The header columns are in the wrong order. Each row lists the data, then how it is collected, then what it is used for, so the header should be 'Data | How | Used for'. The row has its columns swapped. The data item comes first and how it is collected comes second, so it should be 'Email | Typed in | Send login'.

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

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 100–124) and word search (Modules 87–124).

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Learning
Duo
Which columns should a data audit table have?
Data collected, how it is collected, what it is used forApp name, price, star rating
Matches
Data | Purpose Email | Log in to the app
↓
The table is missing a How collected column, so we cannot tell if the data was typed in or collected automatically.
Applying
Meanings
Term
data audit
Meaning
A table that lists each piece of data a system collects, how it is collected (typed in or automatic) and what it is used for. It shows the system's footprint.
Practice
Data | How collected | Used for
Testing
Gaps
Data | How collected |
Check Answer
Spots
1Data | Used for | How
2Name | Typed in | Greet user

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Quick Questions

1. Which columns should a data audit table have?
A. App name, price, star rating
B. Data collected, how it is collected, what it is used for ✓
A data audit lists each piece of data, how it is collected (typed in or automatic) and what it is used for.
2. A student types their name into a school library app. How is this data collected?
A. Actively - the student typed it in ✓
B. Passively - it was collected automatically
Data you type or choose yourself is collected actively. You know you are giving it.
3. A website records your device type and IP address as soon as you visit it. How is this data collected?
A. Actively - you typed it in
B. Passively - it is collected automatically ✓
Passive collection happens in the background. You do not type it in, so you may not notice it.
4. Which row belongs in an audit of a school login system?
A. Login time | Automatic | Shows when students use the system ✓
B. Favourite colour | Maybe | Because it is nice
A good audit row names the data, says how it is collected and gives a clear use for it.
5. What does a data audit of an app show you?
A. The app's digital footprint: what data it collects ✓
B. How fast the app runs on your phone
The audit makes the system's footprint visible by listing every piece of data it collects.

Match the Pairs

Data | How collected | Purpose → The column headings of a data audit table: what data, how it is collected and why it is used
Location | Automatic (passive) | Show nearby shops → A data audit row for data the app collects by itself, without the user typing it in
A school login system records the name the student types in on the sign-up page. This is active collection. → Full name | Typed in (active) | Create the student account
A website quietly records which pages a visitor clicks on. This is passive collection. → Pages visited | Automatic (passive) | Improve the website
Data | Purpose Email | Log in to the app → The table is missing a How collected column, so we cannot tell if the data was typed in or collected automatically.
Device model | Typed in (active) | Fix bugs → The collection method is wrong. A phone's device model is collected automatically by the app, so it should say Automatic (passive).

Key Term

data audit
A table that lists each piece of data a system collects, how it is collected (typed in or automatic) and what it is used for. It shows the system's footprint.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Data | How collected | Used for
Hint: Type the column heading that explains why the system collects each piece of data.
2. Email address | typed in | active
Hint: Type the kind of collection used when the user enters the data themselves.
3. Cookie ID | automatic | passive
Hint: Type the kind of collection that happens without the user doing anything.
4. Location | automatic | Find nearby shops
Hint: Type how this data is collected when the user does not type it in.
5. A data audit lists what a system collects
Hint: Type the name of the table that lists each piece of data, how it is collected and what it is used for.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Data | Used for | How
B Name | Typed in | Greet user
C GPS | Automatic | Show map
Line A — The header columns are in the wrong order. Each row lists the data, then how it is collected, then what it is used for, so the header should be 'Data | How | Used for'.
Question 2
A Audit: school website
B Data | How | Used for
C Typed in | Email | Send login
D IP address | Automatic | Stats
Line C — The row has its columns swapped. The data item comes first and how it is collected comes second, so it should be 'Email | Typed in | Send login'.
Question 3
A Audit: music app
B Data | How | Used for
C Username | Typed in | Log in
D Plays | Typed in | Playlists
Line D — The app records which songs you play without you typing anything. That is passive collection, so the 'How' column should say Automatic.
Question 4
A Audit: class chat app
B Data | How | Used for
C Messages | Typed in
D Device ID | Automatic | Security
Line C — The row is missing its 'Used for' column. A data audit must record what each piece of data is used for, so it should be 'Messages | Typed in | Chat'.
Question 5
A Audit: library system
B Data | Type | Used for
C Name | Active | Borrow books
D Loan date | Active | Overdue
Line D — The loan date is recorded automatically when a book is scanned, so it is passive data. The row should say Passive, not Active.

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