DIACC Finds Support for Digital IDs in Canada

The Digital ID and Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC) has released a new report that suggests that the majority of Canadians would be receptive to some form of digital identity. Most notably, the Burak Jacobson survey found that 70 percent of Canadians want the government to work with private corporations to develop a national digital identity framework.

“A Pan-Canadian Digital Identity strategy – founded in collaboration, openness, and trust – will help to grow the economy, enhance security, simplify transactions, and drive greater inclusion,” said DIACC President Joni Brennan.

According to DIACC, Canadians are spending roughly a third of their time online, and are consequently willing to use a Digital ID to gain access to a variety of services. The respondents placed the most trust in the government, financial institutions, and healthcare providers, with approximately 75 percent of the population indicating that they would be comfortable sharing their personal information with those organizations.

Canadians had slightly less (but still high) faith in credit card companies and telecoms. However, they were extremely wary of social media, with only 34 percent believing that those platforms would keep their personal information safe.

DIACC noted that while most Canadians have taken steps to safeguard their personal information, only 46 percent are familiar with the concept of Digital ID, which offers greater security and can promote inclusion for identity programs. Goode Intelligence has argued that digital identities are essential for businesses that need to establish trust online.

Canada would be following in the footsteps of other countries – including Indonesia and the Philippines – that have developed Digital ID programs through private and public collaboration.

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October 17, 2019 – by Eric Weiss