Digital IDs poised to go live in September

By Pemphero Malimba: The National Registration Bureau (NRB) says it is at an advanced stage of rolling out digital national identity cards (IDs), with the launch scheduled for September. The digital ID system will allow people with smartphones to store their national IDs on their devices and present them when accessing various services across the country. The digital IDs will contain the same information as the current plastic IDs. NRB Principal Secretary Patrick Machika said introducing digital IDs would reduce the costs associated with printing plastic national IDs, among other benefits. "It is very convenient for people because you can forget your wallet and your ID, but most of the time you do not forget your phone," Machika said. He added that the bureau was testing the system ahead of its official launch. Machika clarified that the digital IDs would complement, rather than replace, the existing plastic IDs. "The first requirement is that you must already be a registered person with a national ID. The system has been designed in such a way that you will be able to register yourself for the digital ID on your phone," he said. Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation Executive Director Michael Kaiyatsa welcomed the initiative but said it was important to ensure it did not undermine equal access to national IDs. "Technological innovation should not come at the expense of equal access, particularly for people living in rural areas and those who are digitally excluded," Kaiyatsa said. He said digitisation alone would not solve the challenges surrounding national IDs. Kaiyatsa also stressed the need for increased government investment, stronger legal and policy frameworks and robust cybersecurity measures. He further urged the government to invest in digital literacy and put safeguards in place against data breaches, identity theft and the misuse of personal information. "Public trust will be critical to the success of the digital ID system," Kaiyatsa said.

WIRE — By Pemphero Malimba: The National Registration Bureau (NRB) says it is at an advanced stage of rolling out digital national identity cards (IDs), with the launch scheduled for September. The digital ID system will allow people with smartphones to store their national IDs on their devices and present them when accessing various services across the country. The digital IDs will contain the same information as the current plastic IDs. NRB Principal Secretary Patrick Machika said introducing digital IDs would reduce the costs associated with printing plastic national IDs, among other benefits. "It is very convenient for people because you can forget your wallet and your ID, but most of the time you do not forget your phone," Machika said. He added that the bureau was testing the system ahead of its official launch. Machika clarified that the digital IDs would complement, rather than replace, the existing plastic IDs. "The first requirement is that you must already be a registered person with a national ID. The system has been designed in such a way that you will be able to register yourself for the digital ID on your phone," he said. Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation Executive Director Michael Kaiyatsa welcomed the initiative but said it was important to ensure it did not undermine equal access to national IDs. "Technological innovation should not come at the expense of equal access, particularly for people living in rural areas and those who are digitally excluded," Kaiyatsa said. He said digitisation alone would not solve the challenges surrounding national IDs. Kaiyatsa also stressed the need for increased government investment, stronger legal and policy frameworks and robust cybersecurity measures. He further urged the government to invest in digital literacy and put safeguards in place against data breaches, identity theft and the misuse of personal information. "Public trust will be critical to the success of the digital ID system," Kaiyatsa said.

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