The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) has announced a temporary disruption of its online portal following the detection of unauthorized access during a recent system audit, raising concerns about data protection and regulatory compliance.
According to the Office, the audit revealed instances of improper use of portal access points, prompting immediate action to secure the system. The findings also highlighted potential risks relating to compliance with the Data Protection Act, the Companies Act, and possible revenue leakages tied to some paid services on the platform.
In response, the ORC has begun a comprehensive review of its digital infrastructure, including tightening access controls and reassessing the level of information available through the portal. While these measures are aimed at protecting sensitive data and strengthening system integrity, they have resulted in temporary access challenges for some users.
The Office also moved to address public speculation, clarifying that the disruption is not connected to any discussions regarding the sole-sourcing of government contracts, and explained that its company name search feature is limited in scope — displaying only the names of registered companies, without ownership details or other sensitive information.
For individuals and organizations seeking detailed company information, the ORC advised that formal requests can be submitted directly to the Office, with responses guaranteed within three working days. The Office assured stakeholders that work is ongoing to restore full functionality of the portal as quickly as possible.
