Commentary: Crux of NRIC debate isn’t future misuse of identification numbers but current poor practices by organisations

Truth be told, while this easing of the reins may make some people nervous at the moment, it makes sense for the online future. &nbsp,

NRIC numbers can already be collected by so many different functions. Real estate agents typically gather NRIC numbers, frequently with photos of real NRICs, along with other details like your cellular number, to make sure prospective tenants are not unlawful immigrants. For example, they are required to examine NRICs and residency passes. ( If the broker is renting out the property, they would naturally know the house target. ) &nbsp,

Telecommunications businesses also have this knowledge. &nbsp,

In brief, NRIC numbers are also easily available and accessible. &nbsp,

Regarding protection, there are now numerous different de facto frequent identifiers. Many of us have grown used to openly giving our names, home addresses, and credit card details to website retailers and shipping companies since the COVID-19 pandemic, which has also become popular identifiers that can compromise our protection.

What about identity theft? &nbsp,

In the first chapter of my 2017 guide, I raised this one of the major issues that I raised. However, I would then suggest that the coach has left the station because too many events are now holding NRIC numbers. &nbsp,

THE ROOT CAUSE

Although many may be surprised by MDDI’s news, it’s not revolutionary. &nbsp,

The issue for people is that many organizations have used the NRIC for verification processes as well as for verification purposes. &nbsp,

This ought to not include occurred in the first place. The main cause of the current issue is really organizations ‘ clumsy attitudes toward authenticating their clients and/or customers. &nbsp,

To put it simply, thumbprints had been wicked tools to use to determine a individual, that’s why they are mostly used for authentication. A picture of a woman’s face on the other hand may be useful for identifying them but useless for identification. &nbsp,

Also, with NRIC numbers but easily available, their proper use would be to determine, never to authenticate.

After NRICs are not used for identification, their use for identity theft and other acts will be much reduced.

Do I also think that NRIC figures should be protected, as I wrote in 2017? Yes, but only as much as NRICs are still being used to verify a person rather than just identify them.

At Nanyang Technological University, associate professor of business law Hannah Yee-Fen Lim holds two honors degrees in computer science and laws. She is the creator of hundreds of studies documents, including the first studies book on the PDPA and GDPR, as well as six other books. She has been chosen as a legal advisor to a number of international organizations, including the World Health Organization, UN income, and other organizations, in terms of technology and law.