Home affairs could charge you for collecting and selling your personal data

The ANC will be holding a National Policy Conference on 30 June to review the party’s policies. One of their discussion points will be what the governing party calls the Peace and Security Discussion Document released earlier this year, Newcastle Advertiser reports.

The 31-page document outlines its plans to restructure the department of home affairs to become responsible for matters surrounding national social security and managing identity under one umbrella.

Part of this restructuring will see the department attempt to become a self-sustaining entity, which will include raising its own funds through an increase in fees currently charged for IDs, passports, as well as birth and death certificates.

The department will also embark on a nationwide form of identity data screening that will be collected under the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

How will this screening impact your day-to-day dealings?

• You could be charged for everyday transactions requiring proof of identity, which are then verified biometrically through home affairs to confirm legitimacy.
• According to the document, these charges could range from R1 to R4 for everyday on activities that require identity verification, such as bank transactions, airline tickets, school registrations, hospital check-ins and social grant collections.

READ MORE:New home affairs minister prepared to revoke Gupta citizenship

What is the National Social Security Fund (NSSF)?

President Jacob Zuma mentioned the steps the party aims to take to make the proposed NSSF a reality during his parliamentary questions and answers session on June 22.

NSSF, according to Zuma, will operate as a national fund responsible for administering mandatory contributions from all workers for the provision of retirement, death and disability benefits.

“The fund will serve as a single platform through which all workers can make regular social security contributions while they are still working to avoid falling into poverty in the event of retirement or disability.

“All income earners will be required to participate, and this will foster social solidarity and the sharing of risks among all workers.

Furthermore, the fund will provide an income to the dependents of all contributors who happen to die before retirement. The document also outlines some policies on private information.

“The department would be able collect, file and use your personal data to help streamline service delivery, expand outreach and aid those most in need.”

One of the suggested revenue streams for the department is selling your personal data. The document outlines that the sale of identity services and products could be another large revenue stream with potential partners including Government Printing Works, the Council of Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR) and private sector companies.

READ MORE

– Caxton News Service

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