Social media posts/accounts
Dear Bournemouth University,
In December, the Daily Express found that “UK universities admitted to “monitoring” or “listening to” their student’s social media accounts”. Please see here: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/153557...
In light of this, I would like to request the following information:
(1) Please indicate whether the university is currently monitoring, or has previously monitored, students and staff’s social media posts/accounts.
(2) If the university is currently monitoring, or has previously monitored, students and staff’s social media posts/accounts, could you please provide reasons as to why this is the case. Please also provide copies of policies or guidelines in relation to the monitoring of students and staff’ social media posts.
(3) If the university is currently monitoring, or has previously monitored, students and staff’s social media posts/accounts, could you please indicate whether this was in regards to (i) environmental protests (ii) rent strikes (iii) other protests or strike action.
(4) If the university is currently monitoring, or has previously monitored, students and staff’s social media posts/accounts, could you please state whether any specific software is used.
(5) If the university is currently monitoring, or has previously monitored, students and staff’s social media posts/accounts, could you please indicate whether this is carried out internally or that this function is outsourced. If it is outsourced, please provide details.
I would like to receive this information in an electronic format. If you feel that a substantive response to this request is not possible within a reasonable time frame, I would be grateful if you could contact me and provide assistance as to how I can refine the request. If you need any clarification, please contact me. I look forward to receiving a response in 20 working days. Many thanks.
Yours faithfully,
Jenna Corderoy
Thank you for your enquiry.
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Kind regards
Information Office
Legal Services
Bournemouth University M209,
Melbury House 1-3 Oxford Road Bournemouth
BH8 3ES
Tel: +44 (0) 1202 961315
Email: [4][email address] / [5][email address]
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4. mailto:[email address]
5. mailto:[email address]
Dear Ms Corderoy
We write further to your email of 30 May 2022.
Your request has been processed by us in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).
Our response:
To confirm, we do not proactively monitor any staff or student social media accounts, nor have we in the past, unless we are specifically asked to, because it relates to an element of misconduct - i.e. if a complaint is made that a student has been using social media to bully people, we might be asked to check their social media accounts for evidence.
However, unless we have a specific request, we do not monitor any staff or student accounts, nor do we have keyword searches set up for this purpose.
We use Hootsuite as a monitoring system, and all out social media monitoring is conducted in-house. Essentially, we would only typically see messages that tag Bournemouth University, or are directed at us.
We can make a copy of our social media policies (one for staff, one for students) available on request if required.
The key line in the policy is: Generally, if a personal internet presence does not make reference to and does not identify its owner as being employed by the University; the content is likely to be of little concern to the University.
If you have any questions or are dissatisfied with this response, you should contact us at [email address]. The University’s Chief Operating Officer or his nominated alternate will review any appeal and may amend the University’s current decision. Thereafter, you may refer your request to the Information Commissioner in accordance with section 50 of the FOIA.
The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113 or 01625 545745
Website: www.ico.org.uk
There is no charge for making an appeal.
Yours sincerely
Information Office
Legal Services
Bournemouth University
Studland House
12 Christchurch Road
Bournemouth
BH1 3NA
Email: [email address]
Tel: 01202 961315
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