The Maldives Government aims to enhance data control via a new digital identity system following a party membership scandal. Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihsan announced that citizens will be notified when their data is accessed, necessitating consent for such actions. The implementation of the eFaas digital ID seeks to improve transparency and security in data handling amid ongoing investigations into fraudulent political registrations by the ruling party.
The Government of Maldives has pledged enhanced control over citizens’ data through a new digital identity system following a scandal that involved unauthorized data usage for political party registrations. Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihsan announced that the national digital identity, termed eFaas, will enable individuals to be informed whenever their personal data is accessed by any government agency or other authority.
Minister Ihsan emphasized that citizens will have the ability to track who accesses their information and why, ensuring that consent is mandatory prior to any data access. This initiative comes in response to findings by the Elections Commission regarding fraudulent membership enrollments by the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).
The PNC has faced serious allegations for allegedly using citizens’ ID card information without consent to unlawfully add individuals to their party list. The ongoing investigation into these claims has prompted opposition parties to file legal cases against the ruling party, while Minister Ihsan denies any involvement in the misconduct.
The digital ID system will allow the Elections Commission to implement new identity verification processes for political party registrations. The eFaas system, which has been operational since 2012, includes a digital ID app launched in 2023, enabling access to various official documents and incorporating facial recognition technology from Regula.
In addition to the digital ID initiative, President Mohamed Muizzu of Maldives recently visited Estonia to discuss advancements in public service digitalization, emphasizing increased cooperation between the two nations in sectors of innovation.
The Maldives Government is taking significant steps to reinforce data privacy and protect citizens’ personal information through a new digital identity system. This initiative not only addresses recent scandals but also aims to enhance transparency in how personal data is accessed. With the commitment to requiring consent before data usage, the eFaas digital ID promises greater control for citizens over their information and improved verification processes for political engagements.
Original Source: www.biometricupdate.com
