13 Comments
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Sam Wood's avatar

Reality is that we probably wouldn't be concerned if we trusted our Govt, if they used technology like that to only catch criminals who are a threat to our society we would probably be happy about it. Unfortunately they appear to be supporting criminals and not victims so why should we trust them???

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Skarlett Starr's avatar

It’s a clear and present - No! From me

Slippery slope getting slipperier

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Ken Tod's avatar

I read a comment elsewhere and see that Queensland already has a digital licence app that is in use.

"The Digital Licence is a handy app that can store your identification easily on your mobile devices.

The Digital Licence is optional—you do not have to get the Digital Licence if you do not wish to. All Queenslanders will continue to be sent physical cards, as they are now. You can then share your information safely and securely, such as when picking up postage, entering a club or pub, and any time you need to prove you are who you say you are."

It' seems like a very expensive waste of taxpayer dollars - there and in NZ's proposal when a photo saved on your phone would be just as effective and save taxpayer dollars that we can use elsewhere.

https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/projects/digital-licence/about

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Matua Kahurangi's avatar

Exactly, taking a photo of your license makes sense. Don't need any fancy apps for that.

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Lynn S's avatar

Agreed. But think about it - how can they make them compulsory? Are they then going to make owning a 'smart' phone compulsory? Or carrying one with you whenever you drive a car? It's not as simple as it would seem.

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Christine de Lee's avatar

I hate this reliance on phones. what if you lose it, leave it behind, drop it into smithereens, it stops working...? All these things happen. No phone, no drivers licence, no ID. Great, huh?

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K4short's avatar

If you had 2 phones would it be automatically installed on both? One for taking out, one for leaving at home. If one of them was android and one was iPhone....

No, of course I don't trust the government, or A Government of the future. And when we see how often police search confidential data, state employees of this'n'that department email to the wrong beneficiary, ot send documents to everyone in the Addresses! It's a firm No Way from me.

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Michele Bishop's avatar

Getting one is a definite NO from me. Had to upgrade my 3G phone which I run on prepay to 4G and found that it automatically ate through $50 in getting crap from where-ever. This has now been disconnected so it now runs solely as a pre-pay and contains no apps whatsoever and spends its day on my desk at home - even when I am out. It is not connected to the internet, or my home computer - as much as it wants to.

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AgentPete8's avatar

Such an e-license can be pinged anywhere that a sensor/streetlight/checkpoint charlie is placed.

No, the wanganui computer centre will never be connected to the internet and Neil Roberts was just a conspiracy theorist...

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Ken Tod's avatar

Isn't the right question in any new policy or policy change is "What problem are you trying to solve.?"

In this case the only problem would be people not carrying their license or being able to produce it when asked. Also people using a 'fake' license.

People are already required to provide their name, address and DoB - you can be fined for not carrying your license.

As mentioned a photo of your license is a work around, a police officer can check your details

so I don't really see what the Govt is trying to achieve here - this does really seem to be an unnecessary change. unless as suggested there are actually other reasons for it.

If a Govt does have the ability to track and bill you for tolls etc. via your digital license or a tracker on your car, then that is the actual reason for it and they should say so.

"We are are wanting to bring efficiencies to commercial and private transport sector, the policing and enforcement of all vehicle drivers, doing away with fixed and mobile speed cameras, creating a more efficient and effective method of billing and enforcement."

If you just stated that and the reasons why data would be collected and when it would be flagged for attention: e.g speeding, using a toll road or bridge. as well as the protections around privacy and protections around security of collected data - that would be the thing to do.

I'd still have my doubts because apart from human error and deviants who will misuse their access to such data, the NZ Govt and most other world Govts have a poor record in maintaining protection of private data, both physical and digital.

Plus, you have a determined and well resourced base of bad Govt actors and criminal organizations that are trying to access people's person info, 24/7.

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Christine de Lee's avatar

I have nothing to hide, so therefore nothing to worry about. Except... what if I was walking through the Botanical Gardens and a murder was committed there two minutes later? Would I then be hauled up as a murderer, just because I was there? Police cannot tell the time of death that accurately. So... extreme example, but no thanks.

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Terry Dalee's avatar

We have them here in Queensland. No one scans anything. They really aren't a big deal. The app doesn't access location as it has no permission to from the operating system. They are optional over here

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BarbWoods's avatar

I am of the same mind - no problem if it stays optional as they have said. I will get one as I think with cell phones we are well tracked any way.

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