“I Found Your ID”: Gent in Cybersecurity Warns South Africans After Finding Personal Docs Online
- A cybersecurity expert discovered over 1,000 South African ID copies, matric certificates and driver's licences freely available online for anyone to access
- The personal documents were leaked through apps that many people use on their phones
- South Africans were shocked and fearful after learning how easily their private information is shared and sold without their knowledge
Source: TikTok
A young man stunned South Africans by revealing how thousands of personal documents are floating around the internet, easily accessible by anyone. The alarming discovery included ID copies, matric certificates and driver's licences from people across the country, all accessible online without any protection.
The warning came from @mr_fingerz, who specialises in cybersecurity education and helping people stay safe online. In a viral video posted on 15 September 2025, he showed viewers exactly what he found during his research into data security breaches affecting South Africans.
The footage shows the expert explaining how he stumbled across the massive collection of private documents. He showed his findings by displaying different blurred ID copies and certificates on screen, though he was careful not to reveal the full details of any individual's information.
According to the TikTok content creator @mr_fingerz's investigation, the main culprit behind this data leak is free scanning apps that people download on their phones. Many South Africans use these convenient apps to quickly scan important documents, but few people bother reading the lengthy terms and conditions before clicking accept.
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The cybersecurity specialist explained that some of these apps explicitly state in their terms that they can take user data and share it publicly or even sell it to third parties. By accepting these terms without reading them, users unknowingly give permission for their most sensitive documents to be distributed online.
Source: TikTok
South Africans react to personal document warning
The video quickly gained traction, attracting over 32,000 views, 2,000 reactions and hundreds of concerned comments from viewers who were shocked by the revelation.
@Ma'Zondo asked:
"So... Let's say you've already accepted T's & C's, used these free apps, your data has been shared - then what? What's the solution?"
@akhonakhoali2 simply wrote:
"This is scary."
@HumphreyMogashoa appreciated:
"Thank you for the information. Much appreciated."
@Kandie worried:
"Adobe and m365 copilot? Are we safe?"
@wanooos.archivesss suggested:
"Just use Notes app to scan, guys, then save to Files."
@praza.mp5 shared:
"I just summarise the terms and conditions with ChatGPT and label the red flags before I accept... I learned the hard way."
How apps and websites collect your information
According to the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice, websites and apps use different tools to track what people do online. They do this through things like cookies, tracking pixels, device fingerprinting, and special advertising IDs on smartphones. These tools help companies follow users across different devices connected to the internet.
The main reasons for tracking include saving your settings, showing ads and content that match your interests, checking how websites are used, and remembering your search history.
Advertisers also use third-party tracking to target people with ads based on what they’ve searched or browsed on other sites. To stay safer online, users can clear their browsing history, update privacy settings, use ad blockers, and carefully check app permissions before downloading.
View the TikTok clip below:
Other people raising safety awareness
- Briefly News recently reported on a Durban driving instructor who filmed a driver fast asleep at traffic lights, but what happened when he tried to wake the person up had viewers debating his methods.
- A young boy known as Zuluboy went viral for sharing safety tips with other children, and the mature advice he gave had adults questioning how someone so young knew such important information.
- A Kenyan dentist shared footage of a lion breaking into a camping tent, and what the big cat did inside left safari enthusiasts reconsidering their holiday plans.
Source: Briefly News
