EXAM CHIEFS SORRY FOR EMAIL GAFFE

Details of markers are revealed

EXAM chiefs have sent out hundreds of emails revealing personal details of their markers.

The correspondence is understood to have given markers’ email addresses, login details and passwords for the electronic marking portal.

One marker said there were so many emails their inbox was clogged up for hours and the error raised concerns over personal data.

The SQA insisted that the emails – from an automated server – did not contain password details or personal information. But they have reported the incident to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

The marker said: “This morning, I received several hundred emails with personal email addresses of all the markers and their login details and passwords for the electronic portal.

“I presume everyone else got these emails too.

“It’s concerning from a personal privacy point of view but, more importantly, these are the details used to log in to the marking system.

“Just looked like an amateur mistake to be honest but annoying and concerning all the same.”

SQA sources said while they were investigating the breach, the emails will not allow access to the marking system because no codes were sent out.

A spokesman said: “An error in an automated service led to a number of SQA appointees receiving multiple emails from us.

“Those emails did not contain password details or personal information.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this has caused and have fixed the issue to ensure this does not happen again.

“We take matters regarding personal information very seriously and will report the incident to the Information Commissioner’s Office.”