Attorney General Anil Nandlall is assuring citizens that when the Government’s Electronic Identification (E-ID) programme is fully rolled-out, there will be legislative cover to ensure data privacy.

Appearing on his Issues in the News television programme, Mr. Nandlall said citizens have nothing to fear when the programme is fully rolled out, even though some personal information will be required.

He said Guyana intends to utilize the E-ID tool as is being utilized by first world countries.

There is currently a preliminary roll out of the system with some public servants. However, they have been asked not to provide any personal data. However, Mr. Nandlall said when the system is fully operational, all Guyanese will be obligated to be part of the system.

“Once all the processes are in place and the personnel are in place and the mechanism to administer the full implementation of the legislation are in place then the legislation will be brought into force, then these processes will be unfolded in accordance with the law and then it becomes obligatory on every citizen to become part of the process. Against that backdrop therefore, the fears that I see being expressed by the APNU and by some commentators are unfounded without basis and polluted by politics,” Mr. Nandlall stated

The Attorney General explained that there will be the necessary legislative framework that will regulate the use of data and implementation of the digitization process.

He noted that there is still a long way to go before full implementation.  According to Mr. Nandlall, the legislation requires centres to be established in every Administrative Region and each Center and Sub-center will have to be equipped with personnel who are qualified and trained to function to collect the data, along with the requisite equipment.

“And I wish to assure you, that the government is moving with every convenient urgency to ensure that the requisite mechanisms are in place, the human resources duly qualified are in place, the relevant are in place before the legislation are brought into force,” Mr. Nandlall said.

Mr. Nandlall said fears that the Government will be using data for other purposes are unfounded. He said the Government can already access some information through state agencies.

“What use would we make of your passport number,” Nandlall asked. He continued, “ what use would be make of your driver license number, government has access to that information. What the process is not taking from citizens, are the type of information that are not deeply personal and that data protection laws are passed to protect,” the AG said.

There have been calls for the Government to provide more details about the E-ID card and have more consultations with citizens.

Related posts:

Robust Legislative Agenda planned for 13th Parliament -AG Nandlall More access to public data to be provided with passage of Open Data Bill Norton challenges Government to provide data to prove majority of Venezuelan migrants are Guyanese GTT customers now able to access specific news and social media sites without depletion of data