The government is even worse at providing IT services, so the data breaches and other assorted fuck ups would in turn get worse. :(

While an unpopular idea in the past, Australians come to the idea of a digital identity scheme with a much different context this year.

    One of the big-ticket items for the federal government this year is the introduction of a digital identity scheme.

    Late last year, two bills were introduced to Parliament and a snap inquiry launched that will pave the way for a system that is meant to make it easier for people to prove who they are online. 

    The idea of introducing a digital identity system evokes painful memories of previous failed schemes like the Australia Card and the predictable feverish response from the loud, conspiracy-minded parts of the community. But a proposal for a digital ID system is likely to be viewed in a different way by Australians in 2024.

    A constant hum of data breach notifications from companies like Optus, Latitude and Medibank in 2024 has turned the issue of privacy and security into a mainstream issue for Australians, even if many have become fatalistic about protecting their identity in the digital age. Many of us are already using various digital identity schemes, even if we don’t realise it. 

    Since most Australians are increasingly having to hand over personal identifying information, particularly online, the calculus about whether to accept such a scheme by the government has changed. 

    The public debate has now moved from whether the introduction of an Australian digital identity system is worthwhile to the nitty-gritty of whether this federal government’s digital ID scheme is worth the risks.