Police warn: Those who posted voter card photos online should take immediate steps to protect personal data

Police warn: Those who posted voter card photos online should take immediate steps to protect personal data. According to the Hanoi Police, after the completion of voting for the XVI National Assembly deputies and the People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term, many people have a habit of taking souvenir photos, including posting pictures of their voter cards on social media to share their joy and pride in participating in the national election. However, according to the Hanoi Police, posting a voter's card image publicly can pose a risk of personal data leakage and compromise personal information security. On a voter card there are important details such as full name, year of birth, place of residence, ID number, polling area, electoral unit, and voter card number. When this image is posted publicly on social networks, bad actors can use it to collect personal data, commit fraud, impersonate individuals, or exploit information for malicious purposes. “In the context of increasingly sophisticated cybercrime, even basic information can be combined with other data to form a relatively complete personal profile,” the Hanoi Police noted. Additionally, sharing widely the voter card image can inadvertently enable data collection about voters, polling areas, or election-related information, which can be used to distort information in cyberspace. To protect personal information and help ensure information security during the election period, the Hanoi Police advise citizens to note the following: - Do not publicly upload voter card images or documents containing personal information on social networks. - If you want to share a commemorative image from Election Day, blur or redact the important information on the voter card before posting. - Limit providing or sharing unnecessary personal information on social networks. - Be vigilant against attempts to collect personal information online; promptly report to authorities if you detect signs of misuse. Each citizen should raise awareness of protecting their own data and that of family members, not only to protect themselves but also to help maintain a healthy, safe information environment, especially during important political events in the country.