The NSW government will trial photo verification technology to give people more control over their personal data while maintaining secure online identity verification.
NSW Customer Services and Digital Government Minister Victor Dominello said the decentralized digital ID strategy was entering a pilot phase.
“The technology will always be opt-in and will give customers unprecedented control over their personal information.”
“The recent spate of cyber-attacks has highlighted the importance of protecting consumers’ control over their private information, and the importance of avoiding the disclosure of personal information,” Mr Dominero said
Privacy impact assessments, fraud risk assessments, security risk assessments and compliance with the NSW AI Assurance Framework are safeguards that will be implemented throughout the pilot to ensure customer security and privacy. Ongoing testing will also continue throughout the pilot phase.
A locally stored ID will be created, allowing users to use the Service NSW app to remotely update their Working with Children Check or prove their age for alcohol purchases without providing physical ID.
According to Dominello, the NSW digital ID program will build on and improve on work already done by the federal myGovID program.
“The NSW Digital ID scheme will provide customers with the ability to prove their identity through secure digital channels when transacting with government, businesses or NGOs.
“In doing so, it will open up a range of possibilities for more inclusive and secure digital government services.
“Customers in NSW have embraced digital driver licences, with more than 75 per cent of license holders choosing to access their licences through the Service NSW app,” he said
From November, customers will be able to renew their Working with Children Check remotely through Service NSW and verify age for online alcohol purchases through the Service NSW app.