Advertisements
Auxílio Brasil: Discover how R$15MIL will compensate 4 million individuals.
The recent court ruling concerning the payment of compensation linked to the leak of data from the Auxílio Brasil social program is of great significance to millions of Brazilians. This article aims to clarify the details of this case and guide beneficiaries on how to check if they are on the list of those who will receive the R$$15 thousand compensation. A total of approximately 4 million people are expected to receive this compensation.
What does Auxílio Brasil represent?
The Brazilian Federal Government created Auxílio Brasil, a social program to help families in situations of social and economic vulnerability. However, this benefit has become the focus of extensive controversy due to the leak of personal data of approximately four million of its beneficiaries.
Advertisements
Data Exposure and Its Effects
Personal information of beneficiaries of the Auxílio Brasil program was unduly exposed, including details such as full name, identity card, CPF, proof of residence, NIS number, SUS number, and more. This exposure led to a recent court decision that stipulated that Caixa Econômica Federal and other federal entities must compensate these individuals with compensation of R$$15 thousand per affected person.
Advertisements
Court Decision and Duty of Entities Involved
The court ruling imposed on Caixa Econômica Federal, the Union and Dataprev the obligation to pay R$$15,000 per person for moral damages. The judge in charge of the case stressed the obligation of these entities to protect citizens' data.
Compensation Mechanism
Even with the court ruling, the methodology for making the compensation payments remains unclear. However, the judge determined a daily fine of R$1,400,000 if [the entities] do not comply with the order. Caixa Econômica, Dataprev and the Union have already appealed the decision, and the case may eventually go to the Supreme Federal Court (STF) for a final judgment.
Impact of Data Exposure
The leaking of personal data represents a serious offense, capable of threatening the security and privacy of the individuals affected. In addition to moral damages, this situation can lead to financial repercussions and, potentially, crimes such as fraud and identity theft.
Personal Data Protection
To prevent such occurrences from happening again in the future, it is crucial that people become aware of the importance of safeguarding their personal data and that they adopt measures to protect their information.
The Need for Information Security
Maintaining robust information security strategies, investing in technologies and processes that can preserve citizens' personal information, is vital for government entities and private corporations that process data.
How do I check if I am on the Compensation List?
Affected Auxílio Brasil beneficiaries should remain vigilant for official communications on the matter and take steps to protect their personal information. It is vital that each affected person closely monitors the progress of the compensation process and seeks appropriate legal advice to ensure their rights. Read on to learn more.
How can I confirm if my data has been leaked and I will receive R$15MIL?
Although [the responsible entities] have attached the evidence of the leak to the lawsuit, the General Data Protection Law (LGPD) does not allow public access to it for now. However, the judge determined that Caixa Econômica Federal and the Union send letters to all beneficiaries whose data was revealed, alerting them about the incident. Thus, if the decision remains, beneficiaries whose data was exposed will receive notifications at the end of the lawsuit.
What Happened to Auxílio Brasil?
During Jair Bolsonaro's government, information about the exposure of data from approximately 3.7 million beneficiaries of the Auxílio Brasil program became public. The disclosure of this data led to the improper use of the information by companies to offer financial services and products, such as payroll loans. Furthermore, complaints claimed that the leaked data benefited Bolsonaro in the elections.
What Data Was Revealed?
As reported by Victor Hugo Pereira Gonçalves, president of the Sigilo Institute, the data revealed included information on address, cell phone number, date of birth, amount of benefit received, NIS (Social Identification Number) and data relating to the beneficiaries' records in the SUS (Unified Health System), such as CadSUS. This information refers to 20% of beneficiaries of the Auxílio Brasil program in 2021.
Response from Caixa Econômica Federal
In response to the leak, Caixa Econômica Federal, which managed the Auxílio Brasil program at the time, declared that it will fight the court decision. It also stated that, in a preliminary analysis, it did not identify any data leaks for which it was responsible and that it maintains an appropriate infrastructure to ensure the integrity of its database and the security of the Cadastro Único systems, in compliance with the principles of the LGPD.
The Compensation
If the court decision is upheld, each beneficiary whose data was exposed will receive compensation of R$15,000, totaling an amount that could exceed R$56 billion.
Read also: Increase in the value of the 5th batch of Income Tax refunds available on September 29th.
Disclosing personal data is a serious matter, especially when it affects a government program that aims to support the most disadvantaged. If you participate in Auxílio Brasil, it is crucial to be informed about this situation and take the necessary precautions to safeguard your information. Remain vigilant for any notifications regarding the disclosure of your data and, if necessary, seek legal advice.
Unfortunately, for now, there is no way to check if your name is on the list of beneficiaries who will receive the R$15MIL compensation; for now, the procedure is to wait for the judicial developments and, if the initial decision is upheld, the “beneficiaries” will receive a notification from Caixa at their homes.
