Australia to introduce new "gold standard" in ID verification
<p>The Australian government is set to introduce a new "gold standard" in ID verification that will protect valuable information from potential data leaks. </p>
<p>Government Services Minister Bill Shorten will is set to use his address to the National Press Club on Tuesday to announce the national Trust Exchange, or TEx program, which is currently at the “proof-of-concept stage”, and is slated to be rolled out at the end of the year. </p>
<p>The program will connect to a user's MyGov Wallet or digital ID without the need to hand over any documents, allowing businesses to verify your identity using a government-issued QR code.</p>
<p>The QR codes could be used for job applications, hotel bookings, or entry into a pub or RSL clubs, eliminating the need to hand over physical driver's licenses or passports.</p>
<p>The technology will store information such as someone’s date-of-birth, address, citizenship, visa status, qualifications, occupational licences or working with children check, and other information already held by the government.</p>
<p>"Services Australia is partnering with other government systems to develop TEx which would give Australians the ability to verify their identity and credentials based on official information already held by the Australian Government," Shorten is set to say in his National Press Club speech.</p>
<p>"That means sharing only the personal information to get the job done, and in some cases, not handing over any personal information at all."</p>
<p>“You control what details are exchanged. You then have in your wallet a record of sharing, say, your passport and trade certificate with your employer.”</p>
<p>Shorten will say codes "digitally shake hands with your myGov wallet," leaving you with a record in your account of what you shared, and who you shared it with.</p>
<p>"All that has been exchanged has been a digital 'thumbs up' from the Government that you are who you say you are," Shorten will say.</p>
<p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>
