THE SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZEN’S ANTI–DIGITAL ID STRATEGY GUIDE

How to stay lawful, protect your privacy, and refuse forced biometric or app-based ID systems.

This guide is for any South African who wants to comply with the law - without being coerced into biometric scanning, facial recognition, or digital ID enrolment systems such as MyMzansi Digital ID or Home Affairs’ eID platform.

🔹 Know What’s Mandatory vs What’s Optional

Government and companies often blur the line between lawful identification and digital surveillance.

Currently mandatory in South Africa:

✅ Showing your ID book/card or passport when required by law (banking, voting, border control, etc.)

✅ Providing certified copies of ID or proof of address under FICA (for certain services)

✅ Registering for legitimate government services like SARS or UIF

Not mandatory (and not yet law): ❌ Digital ID cards or “eID” enrolment

❌ Biometric face scans or video selfies

❌ MyMzansi Digital ID or “One Login” systems

❌ App-based or cloud-stored “digital wallets”

❌ Compulsory linking of IDs to private apps or platforms

📜 Under POPIA, you cannot be forced to share biometric or facial data without informed, voluntary consent.

🔹 Always Demand a Manual Option

Every government department, bank, and service provider must offer a manual or in-person method for identification.

Say this:

__________________________________________________________________________________

> “I do not consent to biometric or app-based verification. Please provide a manual or document-based alternative as required under POPIA and equality access standards.”

__________________________________________________________________________________

They must legally accommodate this.

🔹 Avoid Third-Party Verification Apps

Private verification companies (like Yoti, iProov, Onfido, Experian Identity, etc.) are data processors, not government entities.

They store facial and voice data on foreign servers and share it with partners.

You can refuse.

Say:

__________________________________________________________________________________

> “I prefer certified documents and do not use third-party digital ID or verification platforms.”

__________________________________________________________________________________

🔹 Use Certified Paper Verification

Certified copies of your ID and proof of address remain fully lawful and valid.

You can still verify your identity by:

📄 Certified photocopy of ID or passport

🖋 Signed affidavit for proof of address

🏢 In-person verification at a branch or service counter

⚖ Verification through an attorney or accountant

💡 These are still recognised under the Identification Act and the FIC Act.

🔹 Do Not Enrol in Pilot or “Optional” Digital ID Schemes

These pilot programmes (MyMzansi Digital ID, eHomeAffairs facial verification, etc.) are optional — not law.

Participation often means permanent biometric enrolment into state-linked systems.

If an app says “optional digital ID” — decline it.

🔹 Keep Physical Copies of Key Documents

Digital-only systems depend on your data being online.

Keep certified paper copies of:

• ID and passport

• Birth and marriage certificates

• Driver’s licence

• Proof of residence

• Bank letters and tax certificates

• You’ll always have lawful, offline alternatives.

🔹 Separate Personal and Digital Life

Avoid linking all your services under one ID or email.

Use different emails for banking, government, and private apps.

Avoid signing into everything with your ID number or biometrics.

Disable “auto facial login” or “voice ID” features on phones and apps.

🔹 Refuse App-Only or Biometric Banking

Under South African banking law, customers cannot be denied access for refusing biometric consent.

All banks must offer branch or paper alternatives under POPIA and equality regulations.

Say:

__________________________________________________________________________________

> “I require in-person or manual FICA verification. I do not consent to biometric or app-based verification.”

__________________________________________________________________________________

Traditional banks (Standard Bank, Nedbank, ABSA, FNB, Capitec) are still obliged to provide in-branch services.

🔹 ⿩ Avoid Digital Integration “Trojan Horses”

Be cautious with: ❌ “Verify with Home Affairs” links

❌ “MyMzansi” enrolment emails

❌ “Single login for all services” portals

❌ Digital wallet or ID apps

These are early steps toward mandatory digital tracking.

Always choose:

> “Continue without app”

“Verify using documents instead”

🔹 🔟 Template: POPIA & Manual Verification Request Letter

__________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Request for Manual (Non-Digital) Verification

Dear [Institution Name],

I do not consent to biometric, facial recognition, or app-based digital ID verification.

In line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (Act 4 of 2013) and equality standards, I request that my identity be verified through one of the following traditional methods:

• Certified ID copy

• In-person document inspection

• Affidavit and proof of address

• Verification by an authorised professional

• Please confirm that my verification will proceed via non-digital means.

Kind regards,

[Your Name]

__________________________________________________________________________________

🔹 ✅ Citizen’s Anti–Digital ID Checklist

✔ Request manual or paper verification for all services

✔ Keep offline certified copies of key documents

✔ Avoid optional biometric enrolment or facial ID

✔ Never share biometrics with private verification apps

✔ Use branch-based or in-person options

✔ Maintain separate digital identities for privacy

✔ Quote POPIA Section 11 (consent) and Section 18 (purpose limitation) when refusing biometric data

🧠 Remember:

The law protects your right to choose how your personal data is used.

“Convenience” should never come at the cost of your freedom or privacy.