At St Anne Line Catholic Church, we are committed to respecting the privacy and rights of individuals attending our services and events. This policy outlines how we handle the taking and use of photographs, films and videos and ensure that everyone’s consent is respected, in compliance with UK data protection legislation.
Scope of Policy
This policy applies to all events, services and gatherings organized by St Anne Line Catholic Church. It includes occasions such as masses, weddings, community events and any other activities where photography or filming may occur.
As we are not currently live streaming services in this parish, the main application of this policy will be to photos taken for use on the parish website, as well as the parish facebook page, the parish social facebook page and the parish ‘X’ page (formerly known as Twitter). This policy will be updated should any further social media sites be added in future.
For ease of reference, we will use the term ‘photo’ rather than ‘image’ but it is to be noted that the policy applies equally to films or videos. Again, for ease of reference, we will use the term ‘parishioner’ to describe the subject of a photo but it is to be noted that the policy applies equally to family members of parishioners as well as visitors
to the parish.
Brief overview of policy
Whenever a person’s image is captured in identifiable form (by camera, video, mobile phone or CCTV), that image is likely to be considered personal data and as such, it should be processed and used in line with the General Data Protection Regulation 2016.
To comply with this Regulation, we will not take any images in a parish setting without first informing the intended subject(s) and obtaining their consent. The security CCTV cameras at the back of the church form a permitted exception to this requirement.
Data protection and Privacy Notices
The General Data Protection Regulation 2016 (GDPR) states that personal data (including photos) must be processed fairly, lawfully and in a transparent manner. To comply with this and, in advance of any photos being taken, we will always notify parishioners (via a data protection/privacy notice) of the following:
- when and where photos will be taken
- why they will be taken
- what will be done with them
- who may see them
By giving advance warning in this manner, parishioners will have the opportunity to object to their photo being taken or to move out of the picture. A sample data protection/privacy notice is included on our website.
Consent
In line with the principles laid down in the GDPR, we will request consent from parishioners, as set out in the following two paragraphs, before taking or using their photos. In the case of children/young people under the age of 16 and vulnerable adults, we will request consent from their parents or people with legal responsibility for them. We will also ensure that group photographs of children do not identify them by name unless permission has been explicitly given for this.
Formal photos taken at St Anne Line
For occasions such as First Holy Communion services and Confirmation services, candidates or their parents will be sent a data protection/privacy notice in advance of the service and will be asked to provide their written consent to photos being taken of themselves/their child. Candidates/parents are welcome to take their own photos/videos at these services but such photos/videos must not be put on any social media platform if they include images of any children other than their own. A sample written consent form is included on our website.
Informal photos taken at St Anne Line
Parishioners will be notified in advance of the intention to take photos at social occasions such as summer fetes, Christmas bazaars etc. This will be done by a notice in the newsletter linking to a data protection/privacy notice on the parish website. A paper copy of this notice will also be posted on the door of the church or hall, as appropriate.
At such social occasions, parishioners will be asked verbally for their consent before any photos are taken of them or of their children (under the age of 16) or of vulnerable adults for whom they are responsible.
Parishioners are welcome to take their own photos/videos at such occasions but such photos/videos must not be put on any social media platform if they include images of any children other than their own.
CCTV cameras at the back of Church
As the purpose of the CCTV cameras is to prevent or detect crime, their use is permitted under the GDPR, without needing to obtain parishioners’ consent. Notices stating that CCTV cameras are used in the church are pinned both to the inner and outer main doors of the Church and a further copy is displayed on the notice board in the porch.
Downloading and Storage of Photographs
The parish camera will be kept in a locked cabinet when not in use. Photos will be downloaded onto an encrypted laptop and will be stored securely in protected folders with access restricted to authorised individuals.
Photos will only appear on the parish website, social media pages, in newsletters or within parish publications. Some photos will be retained for historical purposes. Photos will never be sold or used commercially.
Withdrawal of consent and questions/concerns about this policy
Please note that we will always do our best to comply with the principles and procedures set out in this policy. However, if you have previously given consent to a photo but now wish to withdraw it, you may do so at any time by contacting the parish office. Upon request, any such photos will be removed from the parish website, parish facebook page etc, as appropriate.
Please also contact the parish office if you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy.
Click to Download Photography and Filming Policy
