Australian digital ID platform advancing to public beta

Australia’s digital identification platform is moving into beta, and will soon allow individuals to create an online form of ID, ZDNet reports Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) CEO Gavin Slater has told Senate Estimates.

The DTA has launched a Trusted Digital Identity Framework, which establishes national standards for digital ID, and Slater said the agency is prototyping digital IDs on its cloud-based platform.

“We are now moving to the beta version on the platform,” Slater said, per ZDNet. “The intention of the next phase is to take it live and this will allow people to set up a digital identity online and apply for a tax file number.”

The Trusted Digital Identity Framework is intended to compliment the federal Govpass platform, which was originally expected to be launched to public beta in early 2018, but is reportedly still in development.

“Govpass doesn’t exist — we’re building pilots — it’s under government consideration,” said DTA CDO Peter Alexander. “The framework is out … it sets a bunch of policies — it doesn’t set the technical solution for how this works. That will be developed by each of the Govpass identity providers.”

Alexander said that Govpass is currently being implemented with face biometrics, but the agency will consider using voice biometrics, which Australia’s tax office uses, other biometrics, and multi-factor solutions. The DTA outlined the application process for Govpass in October.

Australia is also considering building a set of new national facial recognition services for government agencies and businesses.

Article Topics

Australia  |  biometrics  |  digital identity  |  facial recognition  |  online authentication  |  voice biometrics