Of all the stupid ideas this has to be one of the worst…….
The Courier Mail, 5 August 2017:
ONE super ID logon that will allow Australians to interact with Medicare, pay their car registration, help switch banks and buy groceries and clothes online is being developed by the Turnbull Government.
In a bid to stop identity fraud and increase competition, Digital Transformation Assistant Minister Angus Taylor revealed the blueprint centred on one user name and one password for government and private use.
Within five years, Australians may be able to order a pair of jeans online or update their address for Centrelink, their bank or energy providers by using the streamlining technology provided by the government.
The opt-in plan will give people the ability to have one logon and password, which will not be stored centrally to ensure security.
It will likely have a twostep verification process, including a text of a code being sent to a mobile phone.
He said the first step was a logon for all government agencies, which could happen reasonably quickly, and then expanding it to the private sector.
Mr Taylor said conversations were being held with states and territories and some significant private companies.
“It’s opt-in, that’s the crucial principle. Mistakes of the past were forcing people down a particular track,” he said, stressing that there would be no “number” given to Australians and it was not a version of dumped policy of an Australia Card.
He said the measure would also make it easier to change banks or open bank accounts because the Government logon would eventually be considered one of the best identification systems.
“If you update your address, you’ll only have to do it once (and it will go to all government agencies and online retailers).”
He called it the “tell us once” principle.
Yes indeed; one phishing email, re-direct hack, one malicious website or insecure mobile phone and in the space of five minutes your identity is not your own, money leaves your bank accounts or money is borrowed against your assets and your credit card notches up thousands of dollars in goods that someone else receives.
What a brill idea, Angus! Did Malcolm suggest it?
