New digital framework tackles trust issues

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2024-07-10 02:00:01

The government's new digital trust framework is a system to prove who you are online much more securely and easily. File photo. Photo: 123RF

The government has quietly ushered in a new digital trust framework designed to be the answer to people's experiences with fraud, doubt and lack of trust online.

One expert says it is not a matter of "Big Brother" watching your every move and that the new framework - which went live at the start of the month - is a good thing and a cornerstone for bringing in safe AI.

The country's digital identity environment has been unregulated, but New Zealand is moving to change that, after six years of work.

It is designed to make New Zealanders safer from scammers and phishers, and give them the ability to more easily able to prove who they are using just their smartphone, to access superannuation or health services, open a bank account or prove their age.

Minister for Digitising Government Judith Collins - who has recently been eagerly endorsing AI's expansion - did not want to answer questions about whether this remained a priority for her, like it was under the previous government.