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Life

Who can collect your NRIC details and information?

L / Life

Who can collect your NRIC details and information?

Organisations are only allowed to collect them under these circumstances

by Hariz Baharudin  /   August 27, 2020
Who can collect your NRIC information?

Credit: 123rf

Since last September, Singapore has imposed stricter laws that legally bar organisations from collecting, using or disclosing NRIC numbers or making copies of the identity card. These rules are enforced by Singapore’s privacy watchdog, the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC).

But in Covid-19 times, you might wonder why you have to scan your NRIC or input your details when you do SafeEntry via phone. Are they allowed to collect your data? The short answer is, yes.

On the PDPC website, they wrote:

“Organisations may collect personal data of visitors to premises for purposes of contact tracing and other response measures in the event of an emergency, such as during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In the event of a COVID-19 case, relevant personal data can be collected, used and disclosed without consent during this period to carry out contact tracing and other response measures, as this is necessary to respond to an emergency that threatens the life, health or safety of other individuals.

As organisations may require national identification numbers to accurately identify individuals in the event of a COVID-19 case, organisations may collect visitors’ NRIC, FIN or passport numbers for this purpose. 

Organisations that collect such personal data must comply with the Data Protection Provisions of the PDPA, such as making reasonable security arrangements to protect the personal data in their possession from unauthorised access or disclosure, and ensuring that the personal data is not used for other purposes without consent or authorisation under the law.”

But what other circumstances allow organisations to collect your personal data? Here are a few.

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https://www.herworld.com/gallery/life/who-can-collect-nric-details/
Who can collect your NRIC details and information?
WHEN DO I NOT HAVE TO GIVE UP MY NRIC?
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Unless required by law or when it is necessary to accurately identify you, you do not need to give your full national identification number. The organisation also cannot retain your card.

This includes when applying for retail memberships, signing up for contests or lucky draws, renting a bicycle, buying movie tickets online or completing survey forms – longstanding practices that use the NRIC details as identifiers.

You should also not furnish your NRIC or its details when entering the premises of a private condominium or using a computer at an Internet cafe (read also “Tired Of WFH? Here Are Places You Can Work At Besides Starbucks“).

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WHEN MUST I RELEASE MY NRIC INFORMATION?
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You have to provide the information when the law requires it. For example, when seeking medical treatment at a general practitioner clinic, which is required under the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics Regulations.

The information is also required under the Hotel Licensing Regulations, when you are checking into a hotel (read also “10 Places In Singapore You Can Now Have A Staycation At“).

Subscribing to a phone line also requires you to give your NRIC details, under the Telecommunications Act. You can also be asked to give your NRIC details when the inability to identify you accurately could cause significant harm.

The details may also be needed for property transactions or healthcare matters, such as when applying for insurance and making medical claims.

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MUST I SHOW MY NRIC WHEN ASKED TO VERIFY MY AGE, OR TO VERIFY MY IDENTITY?
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This is allowed, when just the sight of an individual’s physical NRIC and information is needed for verification purposes.

It is permitted as long as there is no intention to control or possess the physical NRIC, no personal data is retained and the NRIC is returned immediately.

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DO THE NEW RULES APPLY ONLY TO THE NRIC?
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The stricter rules apply also to cards with your NRIC number on them, like a driver’s licence, as well as other national identification numbers like birth certificate numbers, foreign identification numbers and work permit numbers.

While passport numbers are periodically replaced, organisations should avoid collecting the full passport numbers of individuals as well, unless justified.

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WHAT ARE ALTERNATIVES TO THE NRIC FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES?
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Alternatives may include organisation or user-generated IDs, tracking numbers or organisation-issued QR codes, or partial NRIC details of up to the last three numerical digits and letter.

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WILL I STILL BE ASKED FOR MY NRIC DETAILS TO ACCESS GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND PREMISES?
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Yes. The advisory guidelines on the NRIC do not apply to the Government.

The NRIC number is a unique identifier assigned by the Government to each Singapore resident that is often used for transactions with the Government.

As the issuing authority for the NRIC, the Government says it rightfully uses the NRIC to discharge its functions and services with citizens in a secure manner.

A version of this article appeared on The Straits Times.
Additional reporting: Hidayah Idris

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