By Thabi Shomolekae.
Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber has officially gazetted draft amended regulations under the Identification Act of 1997 for public comment, as plans to digitise the identity system expand.
The proposed regulations aim to allow citizens to store, access, and use digital versions of their key identification documents directly on their smartphones.
Members of the public, industry stakeholders, and civil society have until June 6 to submit written comments on the proposal.
Schreiber explains that the proposed digital ID system will allow the secure storage of identity documents, birth certificates, and marriage certificates in a digital wallet on smartphones.
“The draft regulations propose the creation of a world-class digital identity system as the ultimate expression of our vision to leverage digital transformation to deliver Home Affairs@ home,” says Schreiber.
He explains that the new regulations intend to clarify that digital identity credentials constitute a valid form of identification, while ensuring that physical documents, such as the Smart ID Card, remain valid.
Schreiber assures that the proposed regulations will prescribe stringent standards for biometric capture and digital enrolment and, if adopted, the regulations will allow users to confirm their identity remotely using biometric technology, reducing reliance on physical, in-person verification.
Citizens will also be allowed to use their digital ID for both government and private sector services.
Schreiber says the proposed regulations will also tighten safeguards for how identity information may be shared with accredited institutions, with access strictly regulated under the Identification Act, the Promotion of Access to Information Act, and the Protection of Personal Information Act.
The new digital identity system will strengthen the population register as the single authoritative record of identity and civic status information, he adds.
However, the department emphasises that the digital identity system will be optional, and physical products like Smart ID cards will continue to exist in parallel.
Schreiber points out that his department is working with several government partners, such as the Presidency, to ensure that the foundational system being built supports the digital Transformation Roadmap’s goal of digitalising government services.
“Technical work is well underway, and the finalisation of these regulations will enable us to complete our digital service delivery revolution by bringing services right onto your smart device,” he says.
All comments can be directed to the Chief Director: Legal Services and be forwarded to the Department:
Physically at 10th Floor, Hallmark Bulding, 230 Johannes Ramokhoase Street, Pretoria, 0001;By post to Department at Private Bag X114, Pretoria, 0001; or By e-mail to Moses.Malakate@dha.gov.za.