Critics of the new registration law express significant concerns regarding the potential for data misuse and the privacy risks inherent in a massive, centralized database. By consolidating sensitive personal information into a single national repository, the government creates a high-value target for cyberattacks and unauthorized access. Skeptics argue that without robust, legally binding data protection frameworks, the security of millions of citizens' most private information could be compromised.
There is also a deep concern regarding the potential for exclusion. While the government aims to digitize services, large segments of the population in rural or marginalized areas may lack the digital literacy or reliable internet access required to interact with this new system. If the digital birth certificate becomes a mandatory requirement for essential services, those who cannot navigate the digital divide may find themselves effectively locked out of education, healthcare, and other fundamental rights.
Accountability advocates also point to the risk of state overreach. By linking birth and death records to a centralized national identity framework, there is a fear that the government could use this data for surveillance or to profile citizens in ways that were not originally intended. The lack of clear, public-facing safeguards against such misuse has led to calls for greater transparency and independent oversight of how this data is stored, shared, and utilized by various government agencies.
Finally, the transition period itself poses a risk of bureaucratic chaos. Forcing a rapid shift to electronic reporting in regions where infrastructure is still developing could lead to significant registration backlogs. Critics warn that if the system is implemented without adequate support for local authorities, the most vulnerable citizens will bear the brunt of the technical failures, leading to a loss of legal identity rather than the intended simplification.