Cayman News Service posted an article on July 7, 2020. about statements from the minister responsible for e-government, Joey Hew, that the ID card system the government is working on will not be compulsory. Below are some key highlights:
- (CNS): The minister responsible for e-government, Joey Hew, has said the ID card system that government is working on will not be compulsory and the public can choose what they share with government and which entities they share it with
- The plan to create a national register and issue cards to residents has caused some concern about privacy issues, and despite Hew’s reassurances in the Legislative Assembly last week, it is still not entirely clear what data will be held and by whom
- He said government will be encouraging people to use the cards, which will be distributed by departments such as the Elections Office
- The minister first outlined the progress of the project at a recent COVID-19 press briefing, when he indicated that the plan was to roll out the register later this year and the cards early year
- Hew pressed home the idea that the register and card system provided a way to improve the digital economy, especially for government. He said the current COVID-19 pandemic had demonstrated how important online services were but had revealed “major gaps” in service delivery. He said the ID system and population register, which will need to be supported by legislation, would derive its basic information from immigration, the registry and the Elections Office
Reference(s):