The Ministry of the Interior has published the names and addresses of approximately 1.6 million users of data boxes. The information was made public as part of a measure to prevent fraud in distributing COVID-19 compensation. However, the measure has been criticized by the Office for Personal Data Protection, which says it may violate privacy laws.
Data boxes are digital communication tools used by individuals and companies to receive official correspondence from the government. The Ministry of the Interior says that the decision to publish the data was made in response to concerns that some individuals may have been claiming COVID-19 compensation fraudulently.
The Office for Personal Data Protection has stated that the publication of personal information without the individuals’ consent violates privacy laws. The Office has also expressed concern that the data could be used for identity theft or other forms of fraud.
The Ministry of the Interior has defended the decision to publish the data, saying that it was necessary to ensure that COVID-19 compensation was distributed fairly and to prevent fraud. However, the Office for Personal Data Protection has called for an investigation into the matter and for the data to be removed from public view.
Publishing personal information without consent is a severe violation of privacy and can have serious consequences for the individuals concerned. The Office for Personal Data Protection is responsible for enforcing privacy laws and ensuring that these laws handle personal information.