Australian Government prepares digital identity service to enhance myGov platform

The Australian Federal Government is preparing to integrate its new digital identity service myGovID into a beta of the myGov platform, iTnews reports.

The update was confirmed by Government services minister Stuart Robert, who spoke during a keynote at the Digital Transformation Agency’s digital Summit on Tuesday.

The myGovID digital identity service will be integrated into the third version of myGov’s beta, following the original release in June and the first update in September.

The release, originally planned for May, was delayed after a pilot program uncovered usability and security concerns.

The integration of myGovID digital identity service within the myGov beta or myGov will see the credential initially work as a digital equivalent of the 100 point ID check.

This also means no facial recognition or biometric proof-of-life test will be required to prove one’s identity.

However, to enhance the security of the service, the Australian government confirmed a liveness detection mechanism to be integrated into myGovID. Data obtained by iTnews suggests the technology may not be fully operational until September 2021.

Speaking at the Digital Transformation Agency’s Digital Summit, Robert further explained the role of the government’s myGov beta platform, defining it as a “true front door for government.”

The minister also added the platform should deliver important functionalities such as acting like a government wallet, a home for trusted correspondence, and a video appointment service.

Article Topics

Australia  |  biometric liveness detection  |  biometrics  |  credentials  |  digital identity  |  government services  |  identity verification  |  myGov (Australia)  |  myGovID