Australia: Digital ID Bill passes Senate Should be up and running by mid-year

The Digital ID bill’s passage in Australia is not a cause for applause, but rather a red flag waving in the face of individual freedom and privacy. While proponents paint it as a shield against scams and a boon for security, the truth is far darker. This legislation is a Trojan horse, ushering in a national digital identity scheme that threatens to strip us of our autonomy and subject us to unprecedented surveillance. It’s not just about safeguarding against scammers; it’s about handing over the keys to our digital lives to authorities, inviting them to pry into every corner of our existence. This bill is a slippery slope towards a nightmarish world of social credit scores, government control, and techno-totalitarianism. We cannot afford to be complacent. It’s time to stand up and reject this encroachment on our rights before it’s too late.

“Australia is close to having a legislated national digital identity scheme with the federal government winning support for its bill in the Senate after approving 43 amendments.

The Digital ID Bill 2023 passed the Senate on Wednesday night by 33 votes to 26 with the support of the Greens and the crossbench.

It will now be returned to the lower house to be ticked off before passing into law.

[…]

The passage of the Digital ID bill has been welcomed by the Australian Banking Association (ABA).

“This will be another layer of protection available to Australians in situations where they verify their identity online, including when they are interacting with a bank,” ABA CEO Anna Bligh said.

“Digital ID will also be another important weapon in the fight against scammers.

It will make it more difficult for scammers to open false bank accounts with stolen or fake ID documents.””

https://ia.acs.org.au/article/2024/digital-id-bill-passes-senate.html

h/t Little Lost

Uh-oh! It looks like you're using an ad blocker.

Our website relies on ads and the generous support of readers like you to keep delivering free, high-quality content. Right now, we are facing serious funding challenges and we need your help more than ever. Disable your ad blocker and this message will vanish. You can also sign up for a membership to enjoy an ad-free experience while supporting our work: https://citizenwatchreport.com/plans/subscriptions/ Your support helps us stay independent, continue our work, and keep content free for everyone. We truly appreciate your understanding and thank you for standing with us.