Smart Nation Smart Nation initiative
1. Singapore started the Smart Nation initiative in 2014. Eight years have passed. The initiative has achieved some progress, but the projects that were launched are largely fragmented. The overall progress is poor.

2.  I wish to suggest the following steps to achieve a more comprehensive adoption of digital transformation:

a) Build a comprehensive database of persons and businesses, identified by a unique code (ID1), such as the NRIC and UEN. The database should include an address (also identified by a unique address code) and contact numbers (such as mobile and email address) and an unique secondary identification (ID2).

b) Allow ID2 to be used as a verified ID for private platforms, such as social media and commercial platforms. This will avoid the use of the primary ID1 to be used mainly for official purpose.

c) Build a platform to allow government and business mail to be sent in PDF form to the unique address. This will reduce the need for these organizations to send physical mail to physical addresses. The sender has to pay a fee to send each message (similar in nature but lower in cost than the stamp used to send a physical mail).

d) Strengthen the privacy law. It will restrict the misuse of private information by database owners. It will replace the ineffective and cumbersome approach of getting user consent for the use of private data.

e) Allow an individual to appoint a trusted party (usually a family member or close friend) to access his or her ID or ID2. This is to cater for people who do not have access to the internet.

f) Require social media platforms to verify the identity of the users, using ID2. This is to prevent fraud, identity theft, bots and harmful use of the platform.

g) Strengthen and actively enforce the law against identity theft. This will stop the use of the internet for spamming and fraud.

h) Build a digital wallet infrastructure for e-payment. The individual private platforms should use a standard infrastructure for interoperability. This platform should allow the use of a payment card or mobile app.

3. Some people may worry that the widespread use of a digital identify will allow the government to track what individuals are doing, how they spend their money, where they go, etc. This worry is overblown. There is already existing data that the government can use to obtain the above information under our existing fragmented systems. The strengthened law on privacy will largely prevent the illegal access to personal data by government and commercial agencies. 

4. I hope that the people in charge of the Smart Nation project will adopt the suggestions contained in this paper.

Tan Kin Lian

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