Judith Collins quickly got ratioed on X after announcing an update on Digital ID, demonstrating the first prototype of the New Zealand Government App.
This app will provide a secure way for people to access government services, such as education enrolment, registering a birth or accessing their tax information. It will also hold digital credentials like a digital driver licence – which is something else currently being worked on.
Although Digital ID will be voluntary, but it seems that the idea is very unpopular among Kiwis.
Why is that? Perhaps something to do with not trusting the government easily?
The government has history using global events to breach the rights and privacy of its citizens, and enforce Orwellian-like measures.
Giving them control of our digital-self, means they can control and monitor us, and also shape our thoughts using algorithm amplification.
Potential Overreach
Minister Judith Collins and Chief Digital Officer emphasize giving people control over their personal information, with statements like, “It’s about putting people in control… We’re offering common-sense guard-rails against digital overreach.”
Sounds great, but what happens with a left-leaning government takes power. Looks like it will happen next year, given the poor performance of the Coalition Government.
Ways Labour can abuse Digital ID?
Monitor people; perhaps starting with people under supervision
Expand the scope of Digital ID to track things like vaccine data
Make it mandatory, like the UK government: mandatory for work
Censor people via hate speech laws (Integration of Digital ID and social media accounts for Netsafe to monitor). Imagine your boss getting an alert from the Government about a hateful post you made on social media during your lunch break
Dystopian: In the future, expect your digital ID to be a chip inserted in your body at your next GP appointment
Use digital ID to target children (ban social media and YouTube. Only watch government-funded Suzie Cato)
Introduce algorithm amplification in the NZ Government App to push specific services
Believe it or not, when time comes, no matter who is the Government, they will spin Digital ID as a great thing, while someone else will be exploring how to leverage Digital to assert more government control.
