Why has MDDI reversed its position on NRIC numbers as sensit...

Ministry of Digital Development and Information claims NRICs are "just identifiers," reversing the PDPC's 2018 stance that recognised NRIC numbers as sensitive due to risks like fraud and harassment. Cases like SingPass lockouts and scams using NRICs highlight ongoing vulnerabilities, making the policy shift questionable. In light of the public outcry over individuals' NRIC numbers being publicly accessible via ACRA's new Bizfile website, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) argued that National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) numbers are "just identifiers" and should not be treated as private data. This stance marks a significant shift from the position Singapore's government took in 2018, when new rules under the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) were introduced to restrict the collection, use, and disclosure of NRIC numbers. In August 2018, the Personal Da...