The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has warned Nigerians against the activities of some unauthorised websites harvesting people’s data
The websites are idfinder.com.ng, Verify.ng,
championtech.com.ng, trustyonline.com, and anyverify.com.
The NIMC gave the warning in a statement signed by Kayode
Adegoke, its head of corporate communications, on Saturday.
On June 20, Paradigm Initiative, a pan-African social
enterprise, raised alarm over its discovery of the sale of national
identification numbers (NINs), bank verification numbers (BVNs), and other
personal data of Nigerians on a website for as low as N100.
According to the organisation, a website known as
‘AnyVerify.com.ng’ was discovered to be involved in the commercial distribution
of personal and private data of Nigerians.
Paradigm Initiative added that several unauthorised websites
are claiming to hold and provide access to sensitive personal and financial
data of Nigerian citizens “for as little as 100 Naira”.
“This alarming development presents a major breach of the
fundamental rights to privacy, a breach of data privacy rights, and poses
significant risks to individuals and the national economy,” the firm said.
Reacting to the report, the commission said AnyVerify.com.ng
and other aforementioned websites are data harvesters and unauthorised to
access or manage sensitive data.
The agency also denied the exposure of sensitive data of
Nigerians “as alleged and reported”.
“The commission, at this moment, assures the public that the
data of Nigerians has not been compromised, and the Commission have not
authorised any website or entity to sell or misuse the National Identification
Number (NIN) amongst all the identities stated in the report,” NIMC said.
“NIMC urges the public to disregard any claims or services
these websites offer and should not give their data as they are potentially
fraudulent and data provided by the public on such websites are gathered and
stored to build the data services they illegally provide.
“Consequently, the public should know that the commission
has taken robust measures to safeguard the nation’s database from cyber
threats- a secure, world-class, full-proof database is in place.
“The commission’s infrastructure meets the stringent ISO
27001:2013 information security management system standard, with annual
recertification and strict compliance with the Nigerian Data Protection Law.”
NIMC also advised Nigerians to avoid giving their data to
unauthorised and phishing sites, stressing that licensed partners or vendors
are not authorised to scan or store NIN slips but to verify them through
approved channels.
“This poses the danger of data harvesting and comprises
individual data,” the commission added.
“The Commission
reaffirms its commitment to upholding ethical standards in data protection in
line with federal government directives and data privacy regulations.”
NIMC also said it is currently working closely with security
operatives to apprehend elements masquerading as online vendors, and make them
face the full wrath of the law.
The agency urged the public to remain vigilant against false
information and rely on verified sources for accurate updates.
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