The Straits Times: Stumped by what's classified

Source: The Straits Times 

I READ with interest Mr Kwan Jin Yao's letter last Thursday, 'Let students from JCs, polys, ITE interact to aid understanding', and agree national service (NS) is a life-changing requirement for today's youth. Unfortunately, the registration process leaves me bewildered as to the definition of 'classified' information and the potential ramifications for citizens.

I was advised to register my eldest son before Wednesday, a relatively simple process of accessing the NS portal and inputting the required information. I had to input my son's IC number and its date of issue, but I could not locate my son's IC to verify the issue date, so I could not continue. 

I called the IC registration department of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to ask for the date of issue but was told this was 'classified information' and could not be revealed to anyone, even my son the IC holder. I offered to go there in person, to no avail.

I was further advised to apply for a new IC, but this was not an option as the collection date would be beyond the stipulated date of response to the Ministry of Defence.

An ICA officer suggested I call Mindef and explain my predicament. This I did and spoke to a helpful individual who promptly passed on details to a senior officer and called me back within 10 minutes to say Mindef was trying to resolve the situation. A few hours later, it did so, sending me a special password with which I was able to log on to the NS portal and register my son.

More important, the implications of my simple request for what is considered 'classified' information could be far-reaching, affecting every citizen, as under current law, communicating any classified information 'unintentionally, recklessly or in any other way' is a crime punishable by a fine and prison sentence. This appears to apply to both the IC holder and the recipient.

What we thought was innocuous information regarding an IC issue date, if revealed 'in any form', could be construed as a criminal offence. Bearing this in mind, whenever presenting my IC for inspection, for example to security staff, I shall ensure that my thumb obscures this information. I hope my blood group is declassified as my thumb is not long enough to ensure complete anonymity. 

From this date, I will also carry with me disclaimer forms that I will insist are signed and notarised in triplicate should a copy of my IC be required, or retained, for example, in exchange for office lift passes, condominium access or bowling alley shoes.

Philip J. Williams

What do you think?

1. Is the classification of the said information necessary?
2. Do you think the ICA has a basis in not releasing the said information?
3. Do you think some personal information in general can be shared?
4. If yes, what kind of information can be shared and what kind should not be shared?
5. If no, why not?
6. What are the ramifications in sharing personal information?  
7. What is the tone used in this letter?