In a recent press conference, the Singapore government, led by Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, expressed regret over the disarray caused by the unmasking of National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) numbers on the new Bizfile platform. The incident sparked anxiety among the public, prompting officials to clarify the circumstances surrounding the miscommunication.
Government’s Erroneous Implementation
The unintentional release of personal information occurred when the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) launched the Bizfile portal on 9 December 2023, allowing searches that revealed individuals’ full NRIC numbers alongside their names. Minister Teo noted, “We wanted to give better protection to the public, but we caused unintended distress instead.” ACRA’s chief executive, Chia-Tern Huey Min, acknowledged the mistake, attributing it to a lapse in communication regarding the government’s plans.
Public Concerns Addressed
The government emphasised that unmasking NRIC numbers was meant to enhance security, not weaken it. However, the miscommunication led ACRA to prematurely display sensitive information. Minister Indranee Rajah reassured the public that not all masked NRIC numbers would be unmasked moving forward.
Immediate Actions Taken
- The ‘people search’ function on Bizfile was disabled shortly after the incident.
- ACRA will soon launch a revised search function that no longer reveals any NRIC numbers.
- For in-depth information, users can access full profiles through paid services.
Rajah explained that the government is keen to maintain a balance between corporate transparency and public privacy concerns. She suggested users can still search for individuals by entering both their full name and company name to ensure privacy is upheld.
Moving Forward with Caution
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information plans to reassess how NRIC numbers are used across various transactions. The goal is to shift away from viewing them as passwords or authenticators, recognising their sensitivity.
The ministers pledged to enhance communication and coordination between various government agencies to prevent similar situations in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding personal information in an increasingly digital world.