POSB should have sought consent to disclose data

Late last month, POSB sent me a new PAssion POSB debit card.

I was glad that the bank did so on its own initiative, as my present automated-teller-machine (ATM) card expires in August.

But when I got in touch with the bank, I was dismayed to learn that information, such as my employment status, yearly income range and housing type, would be disclosed to the People’s Association (PA). The card is a tie-up between POSB and PA.

Why was my consent not sought? 

I use a regular POSB ATM card now, and the bank cannot assume that consent given several years ago for a different card continues to apply.

Data privacy concerns aside, POSB should have laid out the various cards available, so that I can make an informed decision.

The bank also gave me conflicting replies when I asked about exchanging the card for another that does not entail revealing data to PA.

POSB said I could apply for another card online. But, as I could not select the option on its website, I visited a POSB branch in Buona Vista this week. There were many customers in the queue, and I decided to request a new card in writing instead.

A day later, the bank replied that it could not accede to the request — contradicting an earlier response — and repeated that I should submit an application online.

I cannot see how POSB, which bills itself as “neighbours first, bankers second”, lives up to its name when it not only failed to seek my consent to disclose data to a third party, but sent me on a wild goose chase.

Could the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Personal Data Protection Commission and PA weigh in on my data privacy concerns?

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