Passport Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 May 2024

Wednesday, 1 May 2024

Ceisteanna (88)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

88. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention or that of his Passport Office officials has been drawn to the profile verification used by a company (details supplied) for accounts in that it requires an account holder to upload their passport details and also scans the e-chip of a passport; if official have engaged with the business in respect of this practice; if he and or his officials have conducted their own data protection risk analysis of this and other social media companies' requirement to upload passport details; and if he will set out his concerns in relation to these requirements. [19860/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Passport Service is aware that in addition to being used as a travel document, passport holders may, on occasion, use their passport as a means of verifying their identity for a variety of reasons such as opening a bank account or applying for a driver's licence. 

It is my understanding that the company in question does not require the submission of a passport in order to use its social media platform and that profile verification is an optional extra offered to its users around the world. The information contained on the e-chip of the passport is the same personal data that is recorded on the data page of the passport.

I would advise citizens to exercise caution when sharing their personal data with any third parties.