Privacy Risks of Current NRIC Number Structure and Proposal to Allow Alternative Checksum System or Other Safeguards

41 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) whether the Ministry has assessed the privacy risks of the current NRIC number structure; (b) whether measures will be considered to transition to a structure that excludes identifiable information, such as the year of birth, and mitigates reverse-engineering risks through improved cryptographic safeguards or an alternative checksum system; and (c) whether individuals may apply for an NRIC number change in cases of privacy breaches causing severe misuse or financial loss.

Mrs Josephine Teo: This Parliamentary Question will be addressed through a Ministerial Statement by the Minister for Digital Development and Information during the Parliament Sitting on 8 January 2025. [Please refer to "Responsible Use of NRIC Numbers", Official Report, 8 January 2025, Vol 95, Issue 149, Ministerial Statements section.]