Nandlall says no need to fear digital ID cards, assures citizens laws exist to protect personal data
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December 3, 2025
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, has rejected claims that the Government’s rollout of its digital identity cards poses any threat to citizens’ privacy, stressing that the necessary legal safeguards are already in place and that only public-domain information is currently being collected.
Speaking during his weekly Issues in the News programme on Tuesday night, Nandlall said the distribution of the new e-ID cards to select state employees is being done on a limited, voluntary basis as preparations continue for the full implementation of the Digital Identity Card Act and the Data Protection Act, two laws passed last year to support Guyana’s digital transformation agenda.
Nandlall reminded that both pieces of legislation were crafted to meet international standards, describing them as “modern, visionary and containing all the protective safeguards necessary” for the management of sensitive personal data.
“These two pieces of legislation demonstrate our Government’s vision and commitment to digitisation,” he said, adding that data-driven development is now a key feature of countries that are transforming their economic, social and infrastructural landscapes.
The Attorney General recalled referencing an expert from Barbados who publicly praised Guyana’s Data Protection Act as a strong and forward-looking legal framework. “We decided to install the necessary legislative foundation to cradle and regulate the use of data and the implementation of the digitisation process,” he said.
Both Acts contain commencement orders that have not yet been activated. According to Nandlall, this was deliberate, recognising the complexity of the systems required and the scale of the national infrastructure that must be established before the laws take effect.
“These are complex pieces of legislation. They create complex administrative apparatus with a multi-tier governing structure and a huge regulatory framework,” he explained. “Centres must be established from one end of Guyana to the other, each with trained personnel, equipment and technical machinery. Time is required.”
He assured that Government is moving “with every convenient urgency” to put everything in place, from human resources to specialised training and the physical infrastructure required for full-scale nationwide implementation.
Addressing public concerns, particularly from the political opposition, Nandlall made clear that no private or sensitive personal data is being taken from anyone at this initial stage.
He stressed that participation so far has been entirely voluntary, as the law is not yet in force, and that the data being uploaded to the cards includes only information already held within existing government systems.
This includes names, addresses, ID card numbers, passport numbers, TINs, driver’s licence numbers, birth and marriage certificate details, photographs and other civil-registry information.
“These are all information already in the public information system,” Nandlall emphasised. “No personal medical data, financial data such as bank accounts, or deeply personal information have been taken from anyone.”
In rebuffing claims that the State is seeking to misuse citizens’ information, Nandlall said the fears being circulated by APNU and some commentators are “unfounded, without basis and polluted by politics”.
“The Government has access to this information anyway through various state agencies,” he said. “What use would we make of your passport number or your driver’s licence number? Those who are making these comments either do not understand data protection or are being disingenuous.”
Once the systems, centres and regulatory structures are fully operational, he said, the commencement orders for both laws will be issued. At that stage, participation will become legally required for all citizens, in keeping with modern national identification systems worldwide.
For now, he reiterated, the process remains voluntary, limited in scope, and governed by strict internal safeguards.
Nandlall said the Government remains committed to ensuring that when the digital ID system is fully launched, it will function under “the most modern statutory protection” to guarantee citizens’ privacy, security and confidence in the platform.
