Decision to Have Public Service Centers Go Private Criticized in Majilis

Majilis deputy Ekaterina Smyshlyaeva requested that First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar clarify the situation around the possible privatization of the Public Service Centers (PSCs), Orda.kz reports. 

The deputy says this raises concerns about personal data security, as strategic facilities may be transferred to private hands.

Ekaterina Smyshlyaeva noted that the law adopted at the beginning of the year tightened the requirements for private partners to ensure data protection and streamline work with documentation. An essential goal was to eliminate the unregulated activities of intermediaries, the so-called "helpers."

The deputy believes state oversight over the public service centers is necessary. Private organizations should be limited to receiving and issuing documents without access to large databases.

There is a good proverb: "Az soyle, kop iste". Instead of making loud sensational statements about privatization, the state corporation needs to step up its work to solve current problems and implement legislative innovations. The number of helpers around the public service centers has not decreased, moreover, they have been institutionalized into consulting firms. Rural residents still travel tens of kilometers to receive government services. There are questions about ensuring the security of personal data,noted Smyshlyaeva. 

She emphasized that the state must strengthen data protection, streamline the activities of public service center partners, and increase the availability of services for rural residents and not concentrate on commercial projects in big cities.

Meanwhile, according to Nurlan Baimurazev, the head of the representative of the NAO State Corporation Government for Citizens, Kazakhstanis' personal data are divided into two types: closed and open.

It is impossible to disclose information about health, financial situation, adoption. Citizens, to buy tickets, for example, pay for some service, leave their first and last name. There is no great risk in this. However, those who work with personal data illegally and even distribute it will be subject to administrative or criminal liability,said Nurlan Baymurzaev. 

Adletkhan Kabdesh, the Department of State Oversight of Personal Data Protection head, also commented. He reported that the transfer of the public service centers to private hands was the idea of ​​the MCRIAP's central office and expressed confidence that the initiative would justify itself.

Risks and leaks of personal data exist everywhere. Be it government agencies, representatives of budgetary organizations or private ones. The information system of the Public Service Center has successfully passed the test for compliance with information security requirements. There are certain levers that minimize the risks of leaks of personal data. It is never possible to prevent a leak 100% because, at a minimum, there are human factors, said Adletkhan Kabdesh.

Adletkhan Kabdesh assured that an employee of the private-public service center who will provide the service will have only the data necessary to receive the requested service.

The employee will not see all other personal data. In general, the implementation of our plans complies with the requirements of the legislation 'On Personal Data and Their Protection.' The most important thing is that access to a person's personal data requires their consent,  he said.

If a PSC employee requests a Kazakhstani's personal data without consent and personal presence, they will face liability.

Original Authors: Artem Volkov, Olga Ibraeva