National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) of Pakistan contacted Google regarding the illegal sharing and selling of personal data of Pakistani residents by various apps on the Google Play Store.
Nadra claimed that 14 such apps were "illegally and deceptively" using Nadra's name and products to impersonate and deceive users with the impression that the apps were officially linked to or authorized by Nadra.
This gave the apps unwarranted credibility, and they were able to obtain personal data from Pakistani residents.
Nadra sent a letter to Google requesting that all such apps be immediately taken down from Google Play Store, as these apps were stealing data that belongs to the federal government of Pakistan and harming the privacy of Pakistani residents.
The authority also emphasized that such activities could have serious security implications for Pakistan.
In response to Nadra's letter, Google removed at least 14 apps from its app store. Nadra Chairman Tariq Malik said that in addition to contacting Google, Nadra had introduced an artificial intelligence system to protect citizens' personal data.
Mr Malik also stated that he had voluntarily given up the "super access" to citizens' personal data and made it inaccessible even to Nadra's employees after assuming office in 2021. Furthermore, Nadra had revived its information security department, which had been made dysfunctional after Mr Malik left the authority in 2014.
The issue of personal data breaches has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, and this case in Pakistan is no exception.
According to reports, the illegal sharing and selling of personal data has become a major issue, affecting not only individuals but also organizations and the government.
Nadra is a government agency in Pakistan that is responsible for maintaining the national database of citizens' personal information, such as their name, date of birth, and address. This information is used for various purposes, including issuing identity cards and passports.
The use of unauthorized apps to access citizens' personal data is a serious matter, as it can lead to identity theft and financial fraud. Moreover, the breach of government data can compromise national security, especially if sensitive information falls into the wrong hands.
The removal of the 14 apps from the Google Play Store is a positive step towards addressing this issue, but more needs to be done to ensure that citizens' personal data is protected.
The introduction of an artificial intelligence system by Nadra is one way to prevent future breaches, as it can detect and block unauthorized access attempts.
Furthermore, the decision to revive the information security department of Nadra is an important step in strengthening the organization's data protection measures.
It will enable Nadra to monitor and prevent unauthorized access to citizens' personal data, as well as provide the necessary support to individuals who may have been affected by data breaches.
