Data leak: CASER backs NIMC, demands diligent prosecution of suspects

The Citizen Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) has expressed support for efforts by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to address the recent issues of data breach by some online vendors.

The CASER Executive Director, Barrister Frank Tietie, said on Thursday in Abuja that NIMC had been proactive in identifying and disowning websites found to be selling National Identity Number (NIN) data.

He urged the agency to go all out and ensure that individuals within and outside of its system found culpable in the breach of sensitive data be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“We are elated that NIMC moved swiftly to identify no fewer than five websites found to be involved in data phishing and sales of NIN information and ensured that they are put out of operation. This is what is expected of a responsible government agency.

“Our investigation also showed that a number of unscrupulous individuals found culpable have been arrested by security operatives in the course of discreet investigation,” Tietie said.

He, however urged Nigerians to be wary of phishing sites including those whose links are shared in WhatsApp groups to avoid data harvesting that could comprise their personal information.