NSW will use photo verification, or ‘facial signatures’ as part of a pilot involving online transactions with the government.
The pilot programs, starting this month via the Service NSW app, will see biometric technology used to remotely renew working with children checks and conduct proof of age checks for online alcohol purchases.
Photo verification technology uses an algorithm to match a selfie with a pre-existing reference photo in a government identity document database, like a drivers licence or passport photo.
Facial verification software reads the geometry of a selfie using biometric factors like distance between the eyes and distance from forehead to chin to produce a facial signature, and compares it to the reference photo.
A final verification and determination decision is made by software.
Bringing digital ID one step closer
The technology, which bring digital ID one step closer, will be opt-in, customer service and digital government minister Victor Dominello says.
The pilot will be assessed and customer protection enshrined in legislation prior to any subsequent roll-out of the technology.
Mr Dominello says no biometric or photo data will be stored once ID is verified.
“We have put privacy, security and customer control at the heart of the NSW Digital ID, and its pilots,” Mr Dominello said in a statement.
“Customers will be able to store their encrypted personal information securely on their own device meaning it will not be held centrally by government or a private entity.”
Mr Dominello said the NSW Digital ID program builds on the Federal myGovID program.
“The NSW Digital ID program will provide customers with the ability to prove their identity through a secure digital channel when transacting with government, businesses or non-government organisations.
“In doing so, it will unlock a range of possibilities for more inclusive and secure digital government services.”
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You read it here – [not so] ‘smart cities’, digital ID’s, digital currencies, reduced civil rights. You don’t have to be overly bright to see where this is all going. The example above and all around demonstrates what we call the litmus test, or aka boiling the frog. In the beginning it’s all wow look at what we can do, later it’s ‘1984’ revisited. If you can’t see the creeping control with these strategies, you need to look closer.. And, while collecting and selling your personal privacy information, they are completely absent on the issue/policy of data security. Every week we see/hear of data hacks. If you are in Gov you would know like me that hacks occur daily!
Could not agree with you more here David. As a records and information management professional for 50 years I have pretty much seen it all and it is this I have been extremely concerned about for a long period of time. The digital world has been allowed to blast its way through Australian society and globally pretty much ,without the legislative and regulatory environment ( with some exceptions) to stop subversive control of mine, yours and everyone elses personal information without our – societies approval. Note do not get me wrong I support a digital environment but only within the right frameworks