Related information on digital ID
What digital ID is and is not
Digital ID is an electronic version of trusted government identification that provides better safety, more security and stronger privacy than physical identification cards or documents.
It can be securely stored in a digital wallet app for smartphones and other digital devices (like tablets or computers) and will let people and businesses prove who they are both online and in person.
Digital ID is the foundation that will enable easier access to online services and make Ontario one of the world’s most digitally advanced jurisdictions, with a value for Ontarians, businesses and the government that is estimated at $20 billion
Digital ID is:
convenient — it lives on your mobile device and is always ready to use whenever you need it
secure — your data is protected using strong encryption and, unlike your physical wallet, your digital ID can easily be turned off if your phone is lost or stolen
privacy-preserving — for example, if you need to show you are age of majority, the verifier will only know you are over 18, not your date of birth or actual age
verifiable — just like a driver’s licence, a digital ID is certified government proof that you are who you say you are
in your control — you have full and complete control over what bits of your information you want to share and with whom you want to share it – no one can access your data without your agreement
voluntary — signing up for digital ID will be optional – you can still use physical ID whenever you want
Digital ID is:
not stored in a central database — your digital ID is stored only on your personal mobile device (for example, your phone or tablet) or computer and can be turned off remotely if your device or computer is lost or stolen
not a tracking device — the government will not know where you have been or where you used your digital ID
not usable without your permission — you must always consent (agree) before sharing any information
Why now?
We need better privacy and security
Physical forms of identification and credentials were not designed for the safety and security needs of the digital world. Current solutions, like scanning your driver’s licence and sending it by email are inconvenient and insecure.
Digital ID is a convenient and easy identification solution that’s made with the security and encryption we need to securely perform transactions and access services online.
We value online and contactless transactions
COVID‑19 has made it clear that online transactions can be convenient and user-friendly. Ontario’s Digital ID will mean more businesses that require customer identification will be able to move their services online.
The pandemic has also taught us that contactless in-person service options (such as tap-to-pay instead of entering a PIN on a terminal) can help keep us safe. Ontario’s Digital ID will let you prove who you are in person without exchanging any physical documents.
Where you could use digital ID
To help you understand where it could work, here are some examples of future digital ID uses.
As an individual, you could use digital ID to prove your identity when you:
- make an age-sensitive purchase (like a lottery ticket)
- pick up a package at the post office
- apply for government assistance (such as disability support) or benefits (such as CERB or EI)
- access and use vaccination records
- open a bank account
As a business, you could use digital ID when you:
- hire new employees
- prove business identity/credentials or verify those of other businesses
- open business accounts
- apply for loans, grants, tax credits
- verify customers’ identity
Read a list of more ways digital ID could possibly be used.
How digital ID works
We will be sharing how Ontario’s Digital ID will work in the coming months, but here is a simplified version of the typical process.
Learn about the technology and standards we are starting with for Ontario’s Digital ID.
Our progress so far
Here's what we've been up to since we announced Digital ID as part of Ontario Onwards: Ontario's Action Plan for a People-Focused Government in October 2020:
- We published the set of technical tools we are starting with to build Ontario’s Digital ID.
- We held an online consultation on the policy framework for Ontario’s Digital Identity Program.
- We held feedback sessions with members of the public to learn their interpretation of a digital ID, its benefits and how they would get one on their mobile phone.
- We began presenting our technology roadmap to key private-sector partners for their questions and input.
- Patients at Niagara Health were among the first in the province who can access their diagnostic records such as an x-ray, CT scan, MRI or ultrasound through a patient digital identity service.
- We introduced our first Digital and Data Strategy, Building a Digital Ontario.
- Four Ontario hospitals introduced the Ontario trusted account, a service that allows patients to prove their identity online.
- We surveyed and consulted with the public and both small- and medium-sized businesses about using digital ID.
- We held roundtable consultations with large market participants to understand their perspectives on technology, the role of government and standards for a digital identity ecosystem.
Footnotes
- footnote[1] Back to paragraph This is a rough-order-of-magnitude estimate calculated from about 35 value drivers and hundreds of data points from various sources, including DIACC (Digital ID & Authentication Council of Canada), McKinsey Global Institute and World Economic Forum.