Government acknowledges accountability failures in NRIC unmasking saga: Singapore live news
Hello to all our readers, Yahoo Singapore will be bringing you live news updates today. The editorial team will be curating the latest must-know local and international news.
Top of the news, the Singapore government has acknowledged accountability failures in the NRIC unmasking saga, promising corrective actions and fair consequences for those involved. Minister Josephine Teo and ACRA's Chief Executive issued apologies for the distress caused by the incident, which exposed sensitive personal data on the Bizfile portal. The government pledged to improve communication and data protection, with a public consultation planned for 2025.
Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates.
The Singapore government has acknowledged significant accountability failures surrounding the NRIC unmasking saga, which triggered public concern over the exposure of sensitive personal data.
Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean emphasised the importance of holding public servants accountable but cautioned against excessive punishment, which could undermine public sector innovation.
He stressed that while accountability is crucial, the government must strike a balance between holding individuals responsible and protecting the integrity of the public service.
In response to mounting scrutiny in Parliament, government officials have promised corrective actions to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
While MPs expressed concern over the potential repercussions for civil servants, fearing a chilling effect on future decision-making, the government has assured that consequences will be measured.
This includes retraining and counselling for those involved, ensuring that staff members learn from their mistakes while maintaining public trust in the system.
The incident, which came to light in December 2024, was caused by lapses in communication and coordination between the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI).
The Bizfile platform, intended to facilitate business registrations, inadvertently exposed full National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) numbers of business affiliates, sparking concerns about privacy breaches and the potential for identity theft.
Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo and ACRA's Chief Executive Chia-Tern Huey Min offered apologies for the distress caused to the public.
They acknowledged that the error stemmed from a misunderstanding regarding the government's plan to unmask NRIC numbers.
Despite the apology, the government continues to monitor the situation closely and will consult the public in 2025 on new measures to better protect personal data.
Read on SM Teo's statement on the NRIC unmasking saga here.
The Singapore government has acknowledged significant accountability failures surrounding the NRIC unmasking saga, which triggered public concern over the exposure of sensitive personal data.
Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean emphasised the importance of holding public servants accountable but cautioned against excessive punishment, which could undermine public sector innovation.
He stressed that while accountability is crucial, the government must strike a balance between holding individuals responsible and protecting the integrity of the public service.
In response to mounting scrutiny in Parliament, government officials have promised corrective actions to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
While MPs expressed concern over the potential repercussions for civil servants, fearing a chilling effect on future decision-making, the government has assured that consequences will be measured.
This includes retraining and counselling for those involved, ensuring that staff members learn from their mistakes while maintaining public trust in the system.
The incident, which came to light in December 2024, was caused by lapses in communication and coordination between the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI).
The Bizfile platform, intended to facilitate business registrations, inadvertently exposed full National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) numbers of business affiliates, sparking concerns about privacy breaches and the potential for identity theft.
Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo and ACRA's Chief Executive Chia-Tern Huey Min offered apologies for the distress caused to the public.
They acknowledged that the error stemmed from a misunderstanding regarding the government's plan to unmask NRIC numbers.
Despite the apology, the government continues to monitor the situation closely and will consult the public in 2025 on new measures to better protect personal data.
Read on SM Teo's statement on the NRIC unmasking saga here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Bloomberg
Temasek Chairman Lim to Step Down After 12 Years, Teo to Succeed
Temasek Holdings Pte Chairman Lim Boon Heng is stepping down and will be succeeded by Teo Chee Hean, marking a significant shift in leadership after he served in the role for 12 years. Teo will replace Lim on Oct. 9, the state-run investment firm said in a statement on Friday. As part of the change, Deputy Chairman Cheng Wai Keung and director Stephen Lee will leave the board on June 30. Director Bobby Chin will also retire on July 31.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Westinghouse eVinci® Test Reactor First to Receive Approval for Preliminary Safety Design Report
Achievement is a Critical Step to Deploy the eVinci Microreactor CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa., June 03, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Westinghouse Electric Company has received approval for its eVinci® Microreactor's Preliminary Safety Design Report (PSDR) from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). With this key milestone, Westinghouse becomes the first microreactor developer to secure an approved PSDR for the National Reactor Innovation Center's Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (NRIC-DOME) test bed at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The PSDR provides the detailed design and safety case overview of the eVinci nuclear test reactor required by DOE to locate it at the NRIC-DOME. The eVinci test reactor is a scaled-down 3 MWt heat pipe microreactor designed to demonstrate key portions of the eVinci design and enable the development of the larger commercial eVinci microreactor. "Becoming the first test reactor to receive approval of its PSDR demonstrates the maturity of our eVinci design and underscores the momentum we have in commercializing and deploying this technology," said Jon Ball, eVinci Technologies President at Westinghouse. "We appreciate our strong partnership with the teams at INL and DOE and look forward to their continued collaboration in the NRIC-DOME program." The eVinci Licensing Department is now developing the draft Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis, which is the third of four DOE submissions needed to site the eVinci test reactor. The eVinci microreactor builds on decades of industry-leading Westinghouse innovation to bring carbon-free, safe and scalable energy wherever it is needed for a variety of applications, including providing reliable electricity and heating for remote communities, universities, mining operations, industrial centers, data centers, and defense facilities, and soon the lunar surface and beyond. The resilient eVinci microreactor has very few moving parts, working essentially as a battery, providing the versatility for power systems ranging from several kilowatts to 5 megawatts of electricity, delivered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for eight-plus years without refueling. It can also produce high temperature heat suitable for industrial applications, including alternative fuel production such as hydrogen, and has the flexibility to balance renewable output. The technology is factory-built and assembled before it is shipped in a container. Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear and other clean power technologies and services globally. Westinghouse supplied the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 and the company's technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants. Over 135 years of innovation makes Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X. View source version on Contacts Contact: media@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business Wire
Westinghouse eVinci ® Test Reactor First to Receive Approval for Preliminary Safety Design Report
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Westinghouse Electric Company has received approval for its eVinci ® Microreactor's Preliminary Safety Design Report (PSDR) from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). With this key milestone, Westinghouse becomes the first microreactor developer to secure an approved PSDR for the National Reactor Innovation Center's Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (NRIC-DOME) test bed at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The PSDR provides the detailed design and safety case overview of the eVinci nuclear test reactor required by DOE to locate it at the NRIC-DOME. The eVinci test reactor is a scaled-down 3 MWt heat pipe microreactor designed to demonstrate key portions of the eVinci design and enable the development of the larger commercial eVinci microreactor. 'Becoming the first test reactor to receive approval of its PSDR demonstrates the maturity of our eVinci design and underscores the momentum we have in commercializing and deploying this technology,' said Jon Ball, eVinci Technologies President at Westinghouse. 'We appreciate our strong partnership with the teams at INL and DOE and look forward to their continued collaboration in the NRIC-DOME program.' The eVinci Licensing Department is now developing the draft Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis, which is the third of four DOE submissions needed to site the eVinci test reactor. The eVinci microreactor builds on decades of industry-leading Westinghouse innovation to bring carbon-free, safe and scalable energy wherever it is needed for a variety of applications, including providing reliable electricity and heating for remote communities, universities, mining operations, industrial centers, data centers, and defense facilities, and soon the lunar surface and beyond. The resilient eVinci microreactor has very few moving parts, working essentially as a battery, providing the versatility for power systems ranging from several kilowatts to 5 megawatts of electricity, delivered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for eight-plus years without refueling. It can also produce high temperature heat suitable for industrial applications, including alternative fuel production such as hydrogen, and has the flexibility to balance renewable output. The technology is factory-built and assembled before it is shipped in a container. Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear and other clean power technologies and services globally. Westinghouse supplied the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 and the company's technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants. Over 135 years of innovation makes Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.
