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Outrage as Akwa Ibom Govt. job portal collects Voter Identification Number from applicants
A growing outcry has erupted in Nigeria over the Akwa Ibom State Government’s job application portal requiring applicants to submit their Voter Identification Numbers (VINs).
This has sparked concerns about data privacy and potential violations of Nigeria’s data protection laws.
What is VIN?
The Voter Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 10-digit alphanumeric code assigned to each registered voter in Nigeria.
Printed on the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), the VIN serves as a verification tool during elections, confirming voter registration status and identity.
This ensures that only eligible voters participate in the electoral process, preventing multiple voting and maintaining the integrity of the elections.
The VIN is a crucial item in Nigeria’s electoral system, guaranteeing the accuracy of voter data and safeguarding the democratic process.
What INEC says
To maintain electoral security, Nigerian electoral body, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) strongly advises that voters must keep their VIN confidential.
It said this sensitive information can compromise voter privacy and potentially lead to identity theft or fraud.
The Commission emphasizes the importance of VIN confidentiality to prevent unauthorized access or manipulation.
Diaspora Digital Media understands that Prior to the 2023 general elections, the Commission said it had discovered new methods used by some politicians and political parties to buy votes.
It said the intention behind the move was to either stop the owners of the cards from voting or to attempt using the VIN to hack into the commission’s website and preload card readers ahead of the elections.
What the law says
Nigeria’s data protection law, the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, was signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June 2023.
The Act aims to protect individuals’ fundamental rights and freedoms, particularly their right to privacy.
It establishes key principles for data processing, including purpose limitation, data minimisation, consent, transparency, and accountability.
It also outlines the rights of data subjects, such as the right to be informed, access, rectification, erasure, and restriction of processing.
Furthermore, the law obliges data controllers to obtain consent, provide transparent information, ensure data security, and conduct data protection impact assessments.
The Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 has far-reaching implications for organisations handling personal data.
Enforcing the law
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) play crucial roles in enforcing compliance.
Non-compliance attracts penalties, including fines of up to 10 million Naira (approximately $25,000 USD) or 1% of annual turnover, and imprisonment of up to 2 years for serious offenses.
Expert opinion
Renowned ICT expert, Engr. Destiny Young has voiced out against the state government’s request for VIN from job applicants.
“There’s no logical correlation between VINs and job applications. This practice opens the door to potential data breaches and unauthorized access,” Young wrote.
Young further emphasized, “The Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 empowers citizens to know how their personal information is being used, consent to data collection, and request access to their data. The state government must justify this data collection and ensure compliance with the law.”
*Reaction
A facebook user named Stone Ekong, commented, “The state government’s actions are alarming. What’s next? Will they ask for our DNA?”
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