ACC intensifies investigation into NID’s info leak, sold

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) intensified its investigation into allegations that personal information linked to the National Identity Cards (NIDs) of around 110 million citizens was leaked and illegally sold in violation of an agreement governing the use of the database.

As part of the inquiry, the anti-graft watchdog has sought documents and information from the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), the Election Commission (EC) and other relevant agencies to verify the allegations and establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged data breach.

ACC Deputy Director Akhtarul Islam said, "Necessary documents are being collected from the BCC, the Election Commission and other relevant departments to verify the truth of the complaint and uncover the entire process of information leakage."

"Further legal action will be taken after analysing these documents," he added.

According to the ACC, the complaint alleges that a "mirror copy" of the personal information of about 110 million citizens was provided to the BCC. It further claims that, in breach of the agreement governing the use of the database, 46 categories of citizens' personal information were sold to 182 organisations at home and abroad through Digicon Global Services Limited.

Investigators are examining whether the transfer and commercial use of the data violated the terms of a bilateral agreement signed between the Election Commission and the BCC in October 2022.

Under the agreement, citizens' information could not be transferred, exchanged or sold to any individual or organisation. However, the complaint alleges that the data was leaked and traded in disregard of those conditions.

Earlier, a case was filed with Kafrul Police Station in Dhaka in October 2024 against former Prime Minister's Information and Communication Technology Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy, former State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak and 19 others over the alleged data leak.