self-verification of digital Alien Identification Cards

Aliens personally
verify/authenticate their digital Alien Identification Cards (AICs)
using their mobile phones.

Uganda plays host to one of thel largestalien communities (e.g. refugees, foreign students, etc.) in

the world and mobile phones are one of the most commonly used methods
of communication among citizens and non-citizens. In this digital age,
secure identification is required to build trust in electronic
services. In line with this objective, the government of Uganda
recently started to issue digital National Identification Cards (NICs)
to citizens and Alien Identity Cards (AICs) to registered aliens.
Under a growing wave of cyber crime and insecurity, the government
through the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) made the digital
identification card a mandatory requirement for registration of SIM
cards (e.g. messaging, calling, mobile banking, apps, etc.). As a
result, peoples’ National Identification Numbers( NINs)/ Alien
Identification Numbers (AINs) and SIM card numbers evolved into their
digital trails, and without an NIC/AIC one is excluded from accessing
mobile phone services in Uganda. However, this system had loopholes as
people would register their SIM cards with NINs/AINs that didn’t
belong to them. Consequently, the government mandated the National
Identification and registration Authority (NIRA) and the National
Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) to carry out a
project aimed at integrating all government systems and the private
sector, for easy access by Ugandan citizens, through a mobile app and
an online portal, using the NIN as the central means of
identification.  NIRA and NITA-U have set up a system whereby Ugandans
can self-verify the list numbers registered using their NIN, check
their NIN and check their MSISDN status. By simply dialing the text
message code *197# (across all telecom networks) and entering their
NIN, the SIM card owner can authenticate their NIN, while the telecom
company also conducts verification of the user against the database of
certified NINs provided by NIRA and NITA-U via a secure communication
channel. If the SIM card holder is identified by the telecom company
as a duly registered citizen, he/she receives notification. On the
other hand, if the telecom company finds that there is a mismatch
between the SIM card holder’s details and the ones in its certified
database, the SIM card holder receives feedback from the telecom
company directing him/her to their nearest point of registration.
Also, by simply dialing the text message code *216# (across all
telecom networks) and entering their NIN, Ugandan citizens can easily
access NIRA services (apply for an identification card, check ID
status, replace ID, correct registered information). This verification
system has eased the process of accessing NIRA services by Ugandan
citizens, and has also improved digital security because registered
citizens are now able to demand deactivation of SIM cards that were
registered using their NIN without their consent. However, the system
currently serves only the needs of registered Ugandan citizens. Hence,
registered aliens possessing AINs can only authenticate their digital
identity manually and not via their mobile phones. The current
situation poses a security threat in this era of global terrorism, and
also creates inequalities between Ugandan citizens and aliens in
accessing various mobile phone services. Therefore, the current
digital security verification system needs to be improved by
integrating a security feature that enables registered aliens to carry
out self-verification of their AINs using their phones. 

The software for the system has already been developed
and is ready for use, what is required is to modify NIRA’s and NITA’s
current mobile phone self-verification services, to provide telecom
companies with a constantly updated database of certified registered
aliens, and to raise awareness among the aliens on the availability of
the new service. 

This proposed security feature will benefit aliens by
enabling them to instantly verify their digital identification on
phone, anytime, and at any place without manual checks. As a result,
they will have control over their private data, enjoy easier and
uninterrupted access to mobile phone services, as well as gain control
over their digital identification data security. This proposed
security feature

Digital identity cards possesses two factors that can be used to perform
authentication; “possession” (the card) and “knowledge” (identity card number). The digital
identity card stores the alien’s personal data and
serves as the security anchor for the verification/authentication
process, while the PIN code is required for the holder to express
consent and start the authentication process. This requires the setting up a system that enables people
to self-verify their digital identity card numbers on mobile phones. By simply dialing a short text
message code (across all telecom networks) and entering their
identification card number, the SIM card owner can authenticate their identity while the telecom
company also conducts verification of the user against the database of
certified identification card numbers via a secure communication
channel. If the SIM card holder is identified by the telecom company
as a duly registered citizen, he/she receives notification. On the
other hand, if the telecom company finds that there is a mismatch
between the SIM card holder’s details and the ones in its certified
database, the SIM card holder receives feedback from the telecom
company directing him/her to their nearest point of registration. 

Mobile phones are one of the most commonly used methods
of communication among citizens and non-citizens. Therefore, using a short text code for self-verification on mobile phones is convenient to most people.

The proposed design feature will provide incentive to unregistered aliens seeking the access it offers to mobile banking services. Also, as more and more illegally registered SIM cards get disconnected, more unregistered aliens will seek to acquire AICs in order to continue accessing phone services. By liaising with relevant authorities, the registered alien database will regularly be updated to account for deaths and newly registered aliens.

I believe it can help me become a better problem solver.

We need to partner and coordinate with various government bodies, non-government organizations, telecom companies, and resident aliens. We also need access to potentially classified documents. However, these barriers can be overcome by working with the government bodies currently running a similar project.