Australians brace for all-in-one digital ID system
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In an era where rapid change is no secret, keeping up with evolving technology and trends can be quite daunting. While many of us embrace change as it comes, a question lingers: Is change always for the better?
Today, we're going to discuss a new bill that the Australian government is looking into introducing: the national digital ID system.
As with any new service, it's essential to understand the system and how it works. So, let's explore the details.
The new Digital ID initiative aims to centralise various official documents and forms of identification, including passports, birth certificates, and driver's licenses, onto a single government-operated platform.
This will then be the primary tool for verifying individuals' identities when interacting with government departments or third-party organisations, such as banks, real estate agencies, and insurance companies.
That means, when it comes to paperwork and administration, Aussies will soon no longer have to worry about uploading or handing over hard-copy documents to prove their identities.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher unveiled the draft legislation for the ID bill on Tuesday, September 20, marking the beginning of consultations with the public.
'The legislation, when passed, will move Digital ID to a nationally regulated system which will be accessible across both the public and private sector and will include strong privacy protections,' she said.
Simon Bush, CEO of the Australian Information Industry Association, has welcomed the move, saying that the new digital ID will 'improve service delivery and interoperability with other departments and states'.
He said: 'The proposed legislation will provide strong regulation for accredited Digital ID providers to make sure they keep your information private and secure if you choose to create and reuse a Digital ID to access online services.'
Ms Gallagher said the final version of the contentious bill is slated for release by the end of 2023.
She is also optimistic that the system will become operational around mid-2024. When asked about the launch date, she mentioned this tentative timeline during the AFR summit, saying, 'Potentially mid-next year.'
More than 10 million Aussies are currently using myGov ID, and various states and jurisdictions are developing their own systems. However, these systems are not standardised or regulated.
Ms Gallagher believes they already have the basic infrastructure in place, but it needs to be structured and regulated to facilitate 'interoperability' and provide 'economy-wide benefits' as a national system.
She said: 'We're very committed to it.'
Will the national digital ID be mandatory in Australia?
No, it won't. According to Ms Gallagher, the system will operate voluntarily.
She emphasised that the focus is on giving citizens control over their information, enabling them to access government systems easily, securely, and efficiently—all by choice.
However, not everyone is convinced that the system is a good idea, with many worried about the security implications of such a system.
One argument set forth by critics is that having access to all your important documents in one place could expose you to more cybercrime.
Members, what do you think of the idea of a national digital ID? What security concerns do you have, if any? We'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions! Please let us know in the comments below.
Today, we're going to discuss a new bill that the Australian government is looking into introducing: the national digital ID system.
As with any new service, it's essential to understand the system and how it works. So, let's explore the details.
The new digital ID will centralise official identification documents like passports, birth certificates, and driver's licenses onto a government-run platform. Credit: Shutterstock.
The new Digital ID initiative aims to centralise various official documents and forms of identification, including passports, birth certificates, and driver's licenses, onto a single government-operated platform.
This will then be the primary tool for verifying individuals' identities when interacting with government departments or third-party organisations, such as banks, real estate agencies, and insurance companies.
That means, when it comes to paperwork and administration, Aussies will soon no longer have to worry about uploading or handing over hard-copy documents to prove their identities.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher unveiled the draft legislation for the ID bill on Tuesday, September 20, marking the beginning of consultations with the public.
'The legislation, when passed, will move Digital ID to a nationally regulated system which will be accessible across both the public and private sector and will include strong privacy protections,' she said.
Simon Bush, CEO of the Australian Information Industry Association, has welcomed the move, saying that the new digital ID will 'improve service delivery and interoperability with other departments and states'.
He said: 'The proposed legislation will provide strong regulation for accredited Digital ID providers to make sure they keep your information private and secure if you choose to create and reuse a Digital ID to access online services.'
Ms Gallagher said the final version of the contentious bill is slated for release by the end of 2023.
She is also optimistic that the system will become operational around mid-2024. When asked about the launch date, she mentioned this tentative timeline during the AFR summit, saying, 'Potentially mid-next year.'
More than 10 million Aussies are currently using myGov ID, and various states and jurisdictions are developing their own systems. However, these systems are not standardised or regulated.
Ms Gallagher believes they already have the basic infrastructure in place, but it needs to be structured and regulated to facilitate 'interoperability' and provide 'economy-wide benefits' as a national system.
She said: 'We're very committed to it.'
Will the national digital ID be mandatory in Australia?
No, it won't. According to Ms Gallagher, the system will operate voluntarily.
She emphasised that the focus is on giving citizens control over their information, enabling them to access government systems easily, securely, and efficiently—all by choice.
However, not everyone is convinced that the system is a good idea, with many worried about the security implications of such a system.
One argument set forth by critics is that having access to all your important documents in one place could expose you to more cybercrime.
Members, what do you think of the idea of a national digital ID? What security concerns do you have, if any? We'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions! Please let us know in the comments below.
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