Initially introduced as seasonal assistance during the colder months, the program now raises concerns about the types of personal data that may be shared with the government.
To participate in this program, citizens must first open a National Cashback card at one of the participating financial institutions.
The Ministry of Economy has indicated that individuals must consent to the sharing of data related to their purchases and payments. Specifically, the initiative monitors whether funds are spent on approved goods and services, such as healthcare, books, and utility bills, in accordance with the program's rules.
While this aims to ensure that funds are used for essential expenses, there have been concerns, particularly from PrivatBank users, where the bank initially required access to all transaction information.
This raised privacy concerns for many, leading the bank to modify its terms. However, in some cases, unrestricted access to transaction history still remains.
Experts suggest that monitoring purchases is necessary to ensure the proper use of financial support. Funds should only be directed toward approved expenses, preventing misuse, such as cash withdrawals or purchasing unnecessary items.
However, the program has sparked fears that it could be used for more intrusive purposes, such as tracking demographic trends or identifying eligible men who might attempt to evade military service.
Moreover, some are concerned that the data could be used for profiling socially vulnerable groups, which could subsequently influence government policy regarding political or social support.
Despite these concerns, the Ukrainian government insists that participation in the program is entirely voluntary. Those who do not wish to share transaction details can still obtain the card but opt out of the cashback offer, thereby limiting access to their personal transaction data.
Legally, any data shared through the program must be used strictly for its intended purpose. However, experts note that while the law provides some protection, it is impossible to completely eliminate the possibility of future misuse.
For many individuals facing economic challenges, the Winter Support initiative offers much-needed assistance during the winter months, despite the concerns expressed by some regarding data privacy and security.