You should delete photos once their purpose is done. This means that you should only take photos if you know why you need them and how you will use them. You shouldn’t collect, store and use data just because you might want it at some point in future. The most important thing to remember about all forms of personal data, including images, is that you should only collect, store and use data that your group needs for a specific purpose. For more detailed help with data protection, see our page on Data protection for community groups. Personal data is protected by data protection legislation, which sets out how organisations should treat people’s personal data in order to respect their privacy. Images in which people can be identified are a form of personal data. How will you use the images, and why do you need them? Remember that people might have their own reasons for not wanting themselves or their children to be photographed, and it is important to respect this. However, you should make sure the people you are photographing know they are being photographed and understand how the images will be used.
You can use them afterwards to publicise your activities, and people often like to see photos of their community having fun together. It can be really useful to take photos or videos at your events.
A guide for community groups about how to respect people’s privacy when taking photos at your events