Police will not have access to citizens' data under NIDS - Chuck

 

The authorities are seeking to assure Jamaicans that the police will not be able to access their information under the National Identification System (NIDS), unless it is approved by the Supreme Court.

 

The concern was raised on Wednesday during the first town hall meeting hosted by the joint select committee of parliament on the National Identification and Registration Bill.

 

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck said the police will not have access to the NIDS database.

 

But he said the Commissioner of Police could go to court to make a request for specific information. 

 

"It may be the fingerprint, it may be the facial image, it may be the address - I don't know what the commissioner will need from the judge. But bear in mind that that information is kept secret and confidential, and the Clause 24, once it is used, it must be destroyed. But if it is intended to keep then the judge will have to prove that the information can be retained," Mr. Chuck sought to explain. 

 

The Justice Minister said it will be a criminal offence if the information is misused or "if it is used at all other than what the judge approves it for."