The Maldives government is launching a digital identity system, eFaas, to strengthen data privacy after a scandal involving unauthorized political party registrations. Citizens will be alerted when their data is accessed, and consent will be mandatory. Investigations are ongoing regarding improper use of ID card data by the ruling party, and the system aims to streamline political registrations.
The Maldives government aims to enhance data control via a national digital identity called eFaas, ensuring citizens are notified when their personal information is accessed. This initiative follows a scandal in which personal data was misused for unauthorized political party registrations, as stated by Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihsan.
The eFaas digital ID will allow citizens to monitor access to their data by any government agency or private sector entity. Consent will be necessary before any access can proceed, and users will be able to track who accessed their information and for what purpose.
This announcement comes after the Elections Commission uncovered fraudulent activities involving the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) party, which improperly added members using ID card information without consent. Ongoing investigations have led to police inquiries and opposition filings against the ruling party.
Currently, party registrations are paper-based, but images on social media have highlighted misuse of data, raising public concern. In response, the digital ID system is expected to facilitate identity verification for political party registrations, nearing completion within the Elections Commission.
The eFaas system, operational since 2012, aims to provide enhanced access to essential documents such as ID cards and driver’s licenses, with facial recognition technology supplied by Regula. Furthermore, President Mohamed Muizzu’s recent visit to Estonia signifies a commitment to digitalization in public services and innovation collaboration between the two nations.
The Maldives’ initiative to implement a digital identity system through eFaas represents a significant move towards enhancing data privacy and accountability in the wake of scandals involving unauthorized data use. By ensuring consent and transparency in data access, the government seeks to rebuild trust among citizens while addressing systemic issues in political party registrations.
Original Source: www.biometricupdate.com
