Data protection guidelines on NRIC numbers will be updated a...

NEW advisory guidelines on the use of National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) numbers will be issued by the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), following the government's change in stance that such numbers should no longer be viewed as private and confidential. The PDPC also confirmed that companies are still barred from collecting, using or disclosing NRIC numbers and making copies of the identity card, unless they are required by law to do so. However, any changes to the guidelines will be introduced only after industry and public consultation, the PDPC said on Saturday night (Dec 14). The commission did not say when the consultation is expected to be completed. Like any personal identifier, PDPC said that the NRIC number is still subject to the data protection obligations in the PDPA. Therefore, organisations collecting NRIC data must still obtain valid consent and comp...