NID data to remain under EC until independent data authority formed: CA’s Special Assistant Taiyeb
However, before this press conference, members of Election Commission Officers Association had already announced a human chain programme “Stand for NID” for today which will halt NID service for two hours – from 11am to 1pm
All citizen data, including national identity (NID) data, that are being maintained by different offices will be in their custody until the government establishes an independent data authority to take control and enable full-fledged interoperability, said Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb.
Taiyeb made the statement today (12 March) during a press conference at the ICT Tower in Dhaka, presided over by ICT Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury.
He stated that his team will finalise the conceptual and legal framework for the authority within two months, based on a new Personal Data Protection Act or Ordinance.
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His announcement came on the backdrop that the Election Commission officials may go on a strike if their demand for possession and control over citizen data is ignored.
However, before this press conference, members of Election Commission Officers Association had already announced a human chain programme "Stand for NID" for today which will halt NID service for two hours – from 11am to 1pm.
The programme was called by the EC officials to protest against the government's move to shift NID service to a separate entity. The human chain will be formed in front of all election offices across the country.
At the press conference, Taiyeb pointed out that the chaotic digitalisation drives over years led to sporadic initiatives resulting in a serious lack of interoperability within the government databases.
For instance, he said, the NID database includes some 35 information of a citizen, and the local government maintains birth and death related information. Similarly, education, medical, passport, banking, insurance, crime records are under different management lacking synchronisation.
"One can end up using 17 addresses at 17 databases and this will not let boost a digital economy. One's medical data recorded in one hospital is not accessible to the nearby hospital," he said, pointing at the issues with the dozens of islands of citizen data.
Regarding the EC's role, Taiyeb noted that the commission was assigned NID responsibilities under unique circumstances in Bangladesh.
He said, "EC's key job is to conduct good elections… Of course, they will have their due role in maintaining voters' data, but more of their IT experts should focus on data protection."
"A poor data protection regime in the country is evident as nearly five crore citizens' personal data was hacked and is available on the dark web," he added.
The previous government's data protection act was investment unfriendly and they placed the data governance under the ICT Division that was conflicting with the global best practices.
The independent data authority will be a high-powered national body, belonging to every ministry, said Taiyeb, who was recently ordered to ensure interoperability of critical government services online.
