Current use of NRIC numbers 'leaves us vulnerable': Why Sing...

CNA Explains: What does it mean for Singaporeans now that NRIC numbers will be unmasked? The main purpose of NRIC numbers is for identification - saying who you are, such as stating your name. However, they have been used for authentication, or proving that you are who you claim to be. An NRIC card can be used for authentication because it contains a photo, allowing people to check that the photo matches the person holding the card. NRIC numbers alone should not be accepted as authentication. "We must assume that our NRIC numbers are known to quite a few people," said Mrs Teo. Over time, NRIC numbers have increasingly come to be used as more than just identifiers, she said. "This is not a good idea," said Mrs Teo. "Since our NRIC numbers are known to some other people, someone unauthorised may misuse our NRIC number to get access." People who know our NRIC numbers can also pose as ...