The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has identified and exposed five websites accused of illegally collecting and misusing Nigerians' personal data, including National Identification Numbers (NIN), Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), and international passport information. This announcement comes after Paradigm Initiative raised concerns about the unauthorized sale of sensitive Nigerian data online.
In a statement released on Saturday, NIMC's Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, warned that these websites are operating without the commission's consent and are in clear violation of data privacy regulations. The listed websites have been accused of fraudulent data harvesting, putting countless Nigerians at risk of identity theft and other malicious activities.
NIMC's move to expose these websites highlights the growing concern about data privacy and security in Nigeria. The commission has urged citizens to exercise caution when sharing personal information online and to report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities. This development serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting personal data and the need for increased vigilance in the digital age.
The website includes
idfinder.com.ng,
Verify.Ng/sign in,
championtech.com.ng.
trustyonline.com, and
anyverify.com.
“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,” it stated. Nigerians’ data not compromised The Commission further stated that Nigerians’ sensitive data have not been compromised as claimed by Paradigm Initiative, adding that it has taken measures to strengthen the NIN database further.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has assured the public that the personal data of Nigerians is safe and has not been compromised. The Commission has not authorized any website or entity to sell or misuse National Identification Numbers (NIN) or other personal information. NIMC has implemented robust measures to protect the nation's database from cyber threats, including a secure and world-class infrastructure that meets international standards.
The Commission warns Nigerians to avoid sharing their data with unauthorized websites and phishing sites, which can lead to data harvesting and compromise. Licensed partners or vendors are not authorized to scan or store NIN slips but can verify NINs through approved channels. NIMC is working with security operatives to apprehend individuals masquerading as online vendors and posing a risk to data security.
The Commission emphasizes its commitment to ethical standards in data protection, in line with federal government directives and data privacy regulations. It urges the public to remain vigilant against false information and rely on verified sources for accurate updates. NIMC remains committed to providing secure and reliable identity management and upholding the highest level of security for systems and databases, which are critical national assets.
This statement comes after Paradigm Initiative raised concerns about unauthorized websites claiming to sell sensitive personal and financial data of Nigerian citizens, posing a significant risk to individuals and the national economy.