Schools’ ‘blackout’ phone app raises privacy concerns among parents

Pupils in Years 7 to 9 who bring a phone to school must install the app, or risk having their device confiscated. Essential functions like calls, texts, maps, and calendars remain available.

The initiative is designed to reduce distractions and improve focus in lessons. However, some parents are questioning whether schools have the legal right to enforce such measures on personal devices.

Is the Blackout app legal?

Schools in the UK have the authority to ban phones on their premises, but the requirement to install an app on personal devices is a legal grey area.

Some parents have taken to Reddit to voice concerns, particularly around data privacy and the lack of parental consent.

One post, which has gained significant attention, claims that schools are “checking all phones” and refusing to allow pupils to store devices in lockers instead.

According to the post, some parents were unaware of the policy until their children told them.

Legal experts suggest that while schools can set phone policies, enforcing software installation on personal devices without explicit consent is more complex.

The app’s permissions, which include location tracking and access to network settings, have raised concerns about potential data collection.

One commenter noted:

The reality is they can simply ban phones from the school – so it's a choice to that degree. They can't force the app, but they can confiscate the device.

Another pointed out:

As long as there are adaptations for those who require them – for example, a child with diabetes who needs their phone to control an insulin pump – it’s not a legal issue. But schools need to be transparent about how this app works.

What do parents and privacy experts say?

A parent working in banking security and GDPR has said they will be contesting the school’s decision. Others are questioning whether a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) has been conducted, which is particularly important given that the app affects children.

Tom Stevenson, managing director of Blackout Technologies, insists the app does not collect personal data and is designed solely to help students manage screen time and distractions. However, some parents remain unconvinced.

One concerned parent said:

I support reducing phone use in school, but this feels like an overreach. If schools want to stop kids using phones, they should just ban them outright.

What happens next?

The pilot scheme will be monitored to assess its impact on pupils’ focus and wellbeing. However, if legal challenges arise, schools may need to rethink their approach.

For now, the debate highlights a growing tension between the need to manage phone use in schools and concerns over digital privacy and parental rights. As more schools consider adopting similar measures, clearer guidelines may be needed to balance discipline with data protection.