The NSW digital ID is seeing more innovation as it is set to pilot its new photo verification technology that will empower customers to have more control over their personal information. 

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello revealed that the new technology enables convenient and secure proof-of-identity transactions online with both government and business. 

The photo verification technology will also always be opt-in, putting customers in charge of their personal information like never before. 

“Recent cyber breaches have underlined the need to keep the control of our private information in the hands of the customer, and stop the need for the continual oversharing of our personal details,” Minister Dominello said. 

“We have put privacy, security and customer control at the heart of the NSW Digital ID, and its pilots.” 

Minister Dominello explained that customers can store their encrypted personal information securely on their own devices. 

 This allows their information to not be held centrally by the state government or a private entity. 

“And customers can be confident that no biometric or photo data will be stored once successfully verified,” he said. 

“This will give customers more control over their personal information and reduce the oversharing of physical identity documents and credentials.” 

The NSW Digital ID program will build and improve on the work already done by 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,” Minister Dominello said. 

“In doing so, it will unlock a range of possibilities for more inclusive and secure digital government services.” 

Over 75 per cent of NSW licence holders have already embraced the Digital Drivers Licence as they opt-in to access their licence via the Service NSW app. 

“The NSW Digital Identity will take things to the next level, increasing convenience and customer control over what personal information and credentials are shared with whom,” Minister Dominello said. 

The pilots commencing in November will enable customers to renew their Working with Children Check remotely via the Service NSW and conduct proof of age checks for online alcohol purchases via the Service NSW app. 

Ongoing tests will continue throughout the piloting of this technology with Privacy Impact Assessments including regular consultation with the Information and Privacy Commissioner, Fraud Risk Assessments, Security Risk Assessments, compliance with the NSW AI Assurance Framework and other safeguards, to ensure the privacy and security of customers. 

Source: NSW media release. Content has been edited for style and length.

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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