Church Policy on Sensitive Identification Information

[googalabosh]

Does the church have a policy on what information about a member is sensitive and should be protected?

For example, are dates of birth supposed to be protected? Many wards put monthly birthday's on a newsletter or hallway board. Are there any guidelines on what information can be displayed?

TIA!

[jdlessley]

Does the church have a policy on what information about a member is sensitive and should be protected?

Please see General Handbook, 33.8, for the confidentiality of member records. Take note of the second paragraph regarding information that is gathered from members and protecting the privacy of individuals.

For example, are dates of birth supposed to be protected?

Dates of birth, or birth dates, are confidential information that are limited to a small number of unit leaders. Birthdays, day and month, are available to a larger number of unit leaders necessary to perform their callings. The birth date and birthday should not be confused. The former includes day, month, and year. The latter only includes day and month. The information in General Handbook, 38.8.13, provides additional information regarding directories that addresses the availability of information in directories and additional information available to leaders. Ward leaders should respect the privacy settings that members select and also ensure that information is used for approved Church purposes only. A change to the Church Account settings in the past year has a privacy setting for the birthday.

Many wards put monthly birthday's on a newsletter or hallway board. Are there any guidelines on what information can be displayed?

Due to privacy laws applicable to your area there is not a response that fits all. Speak with your ward bishop or branch president about the newsletter or even the bulletin board. Consider who will be able to see the information in those two places. If it exceeds the limitations in the General Handbook, local privacy laws, and member privacy settings, then there is a problem. In my area, those with birthdays in the current month are mentioned on controlled access unit websites without the day. I would think paper newsletters would present a problem since they can be viewed by anyone who gets a hold of one. Posting birthdays on a bulletin board is visible to anyone with access to the building, including nonmember visitors. If your bishop/branch president has any questions he should speak with your stake president in accordance with General Handbook, 0.4.