Exploring solutions to the privacy paradox in the context of e-assessment: informed consent revisited

Abstract

Personal data use is increasingly permeating our everyday life. Informed consent for personal data use is a central instrument for ensuring the protection of personal data. However, current informed consent practices often fail to actually inform data subjects about the use of personal data. This article presents the results of a requirements analysis for informed consent from both a legal and usability perspective, considering the application context of educational assessment. The requirements analysis is based on European Union (EU) law and a review of current practices. As the main outcome, the article presents a blueprint which will be the basis for the development of an informed consent template that supports data controllers in establishing an effective and efficient informed consent form. Because the blueprint, and subsequently, the template, distinguishes between legal and usability requirements, it also provides the basis for the mapping of legal requirements in other (non-European) contexts.