Image source: Open Identity Exchange
A leading digital identity organisation has urged the new Government not to make the One Login service available as a digital identity for private sector services.
The non-profit Open Identity Exchange (OIX) has made the point in urging the Government to accelerate work on the UK Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework (DIATF).
It has written an open letter to Peter Kyle, the secretary of state at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, saying there is a need for a cogent plan in what it becoming a core component of global digital infrastructure.
It highlights three main steps for the UK to achieve a leading position in the field, one being to provide a clear position on how digital identity will work across the public and private sectors so they would not compete with each other. OIX says that One Login - currently under development by the Government Digital Service - should not be made available as a digital identity for private sector services, but could be used as evidence in creating identities for them.
“This will aid inclusion by enabling users who have already attained trust through the process of accessing government services to share this trust with a private sector digital ID providers of their choice,” the letter says.
Digital wallets
Another is to evolve the DIATF to include a digital wallet strategy for the UK. This would involve government departments and private companies issuing credentials to sit within a digital wallet, such as proof of education, employment qualifications, results of Disclosure and Barring Service screening, and travel documents.
Third is that the Government should lead on cross-border interoperability to demonstrate to the world that the UK is at the forefront of technological advancement. This would include supporting the OIX and its affiliates to agree and designed open approaches and standards to enable interoperability.
Gareth Narinesingh, identity development director at OIX, said: “Digital ID can unlock significant value for individuals, businesses and the UK economy. Over time, it will become the core component of a critical global digital infrastructure.
“If the UK wants to enhance its global influence, attract international partnerships and foster trade relations, it needs a clear, long term plan for digital ID. While the UK DIATF is a solid start, it needs to evolve, and quickly.”
