Neil Butters, AVP Digital ID and Innovation for Interac, predicts the adoption of digital ID has the potential to be a transformative spark for the Canadian digital economy<\/a> thanks to the potential efficiencies it introduces, the confidence it can bring to sensitive transactions, and the variety of use cases where it can be applied \u2014 potentially across a multitude of sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis transformation could cross all boundaries,\u201d Neil says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The potential benefits of digital ID are apparent to many Canadians<\/a>, but there remain reservations around security. Neil predicts that digital ID is likely to gain ground as people discover how easy and safe it actually can be. \u201cI think there will be some early adopters, and people will watch those early adopters. Through those experiences people are likely to become more comfortable,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Neil says Interac has taken steps to patiently but steadily build trust<\/a> for new digital products and services for decades, including Interac <\/em>Debit and Interac <\/em>e-Transfer. He foresees digital ID following a similar path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDemonstrating strong capabilities around security will obviously help drive adoption by end users,\u201d he says. \u201cWhere does Interac fit in? It\u2019s an established brand that has worked to demonstrate its ability to protect Canadians\u2019 payment transactions. And we have an ability to help bridge the public and private sector and provide seamless end-to-end digital experiences is just something that we have experience with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDigital ID, like payments, is not sector-specific,\u201d Neil says. \u201cBut I do think there could be benefits to adopting early for any organization that\u2019s engaged in high-risk or high-value types of transactions and interactions, because there may be specific problems or challenges for them if the communications aren\u2019t secured.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s how digital ID verification could benefit key sectors of the Canadian economy \u2014 notably those that are arguably already in a state of transformation because of the pandemic, like healthcare, air travel and real estate. (Follow the links to Interac white papers to learn more about each.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n A healthcare system supported by a robust digital ID infrastructure has the potential to improve the delivery of health (medical as well as pharmaceutical) services. For example, it could help hospitals and clinics accurately identify patients and validate their health cards, retrieve health records, and prescribe and deliver medicines to the correct patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re already seeing some progression with a recent initiative in Ontario,\u201d Neil says, referring to the Ontario trusted account<\/a>, a digital ID pilot program launched in spring 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Link: Digital ID in Healthcare<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The home buying process, as it stands now in Canada, could be improved from the standpoint of convenience, efficiency and security. And the multiple verifications involved in a house purchase have only become more difficult during the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With digital ID, banks may be able to perform credit checks and grant approvals faster. Lawyers may also be able to perform digital ID verification. And the whole process could be smoother for the home buyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Link: Digital ID in Real Estate<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Canada\u2019s air travel sector may require further assistance as it recovers in the coming years, and digital ID has the potential to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For governments, digital ID verification can help take some of the human element (and error) out of the equation \u2014 by enhancing the verification of passports by airport security, border security and customs agents, for example. This could reduce costs and increase confidence in security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For airlines and passengers, it could speed up ID checks \u2014 potentially reducing queues, one of the major pain points in air travel. \u201cI think we\u2019ll see the arrival of digital passports, which has the potential to help travel become more seamless,\u201d Neil says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Link: Digital ID in Air Travel<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n As anyone who has moved countries may have experienced, the immigration process can involve lengthy waiting periods while paper documents are reviewed and verified. Digital ID has the potential to both speed up these checks which may free up government resources to process even more applications faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For newcomers themselves, digital ID verification could also help them to easily integrate into Canadian life \u2014 digital permanent residency cards, for example, could make it easier for people to authenticate their identities when opening accounts online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Link: Digital ID in Immigration<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether your organization is involved in the ancient pastime of gaming or the relatively new field of legalized cannabis, you face the same challenge: securely verifying your customers\u2019 ages. Needless to say, this can present challenges when completed online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And for customers, as the situation stands now, age verification can introducea security issue. As Neil explains, people making a purchase could be sharing more information than is necessary. When you\u2019re entering an over-19 venue, for example, the venue might only need to verify your age \u2014 but if you offer a driver\u2019s licence as proof, you\u2019re also flashing your photo, address, height, exact date of birth, and other personal information \u2013 which may also be collected. \u201cWhat digital ID could provide is an ability to share this kind of personal information more securely, and the potential to only provide the necessary information that is strictly required for that particular type of transaction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Link: Digital ID in Lottery and Gaming<\/em><\/a>, <\/strong>Digital ID in Alcohol and Cannabis<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Neil observes that licensing and similar government services often involve identity verification as well as payment in the same transaction \u2014 when someone renews a driver\u2019s licence or passport, for example. For the customer and the service deliverer, a one-step process that combines payment and an ID check could be more streamlined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Link: Digital ID in Municipal Services<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>Digital ID in Driver\u2019s Licensing<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cToday these types of use cases can be siloed and potentially very difficult to solve for,\u201d Neil says. \u201cInterac can play a role by helping to bridge the public and private sectors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.interac.ca\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2021\/12\/INT_Digital-ID_Skywalker_Quote-1-1024x527.png.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow trust in digital ID will drive adoption<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.interac.ca\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2021\/12\/INT_Digital-ID_Skywalker_Quote-2-1024x576.png.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSectors to watch<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Healthcare<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Real estate<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Air travel<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Immigration<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Restricted goods or services<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Government services and licensing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n