In response to Graeme Muller's open letter from NZTech to New Zealand Government officials, DINZ and its Biometrics Special Interest Group wish to emphasise our support for the concerns raised.

The Digital Identity Services Trust Framework (DISTF) Act took effect on the first day of the month, and included the establishment and implementation of the Regulator, the Trust Framework Authority. The launch was rather low-key, with the only discernible signal from the Department of Internal Affairs being updates to their digital government web pages to reflect this milestone. 

Digital ID has been increasingly in the news lately, as Australia begins to ramp up its systems pilots development following the passing of legislation. In Aotearoa there’s been a lot happening too as Minister Collins opened this year’s Summit where DINZ was on stage later.

April brings change in many forms - not just shorter days and falling leaves from our deciduous trees.

Kia ora e te whānau Biometrics hit the news again earlier this month. TV1’s 7 Sharp and 1News together with RNZ news, online and several printmedia carried the story of Foodstuffs North Island’s trial of Facial Recognition in 25 of its stores to see if it reduces retail crime. In addition, Māori, Pasifika and People of colour have concerns of bias. Naturally the Office of Privacy Commissioner (OPC) is closely monitoring the … Continue reading "Biometrics… ‘Perfect is the enemy of good?’ | February 2024 Newsletter"

Kia ora e te whānau What a year! A record 270+ registrations for the Te Matarau and Āhau sponsored DINZ event ‘What is digital Identity and what does it mean for Maori’, the first-of-its-kind state of digital identity in Aotearoa report, a record attendance at the Digital Trust Hui Taumata keynoted by the legendary Victor Dominello, and the country’s first ever Age Assurance … Continue reading "2023 – the standout year that keeps on giving!"

'Digital Identity NZ's submission to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner on a potential code of practice for Biometrics is possibly the most comprehensive response to a submission on Biometrics ever done in Aotearoa in recent times’

Nona Pelletier, Senior Business Reporter, RNZ The biometric industry is asking the privacy commissioner to develop a code of practice that will not impose regulations that stifle innovation. Industry organisation Digital Identity (DINZ) was concerned regulation would introduce complexities and unintended consequences for the emerging technology. DINZ executive director Colin Wallis said the industry was advocating … Continue reading "Biometric industry warns that regulation may bring ‘unintended consequences’"

Digital Identity New Zealand (DINZ), an organization making expert contributions to New Zealand’s digital transformation efforts, has underlined the need to prioritize an intense awareness and education program related to the intricacies of biometrics deployment in the country. This call is contained in a submission by the group and it comes as the Office of the Privacy … Continue reading "Digital ID group calls for biometrics code in NZ to avoid stifling innovation"

Digital Identity New Zealand (DINZ) has submitted a comprehensive response to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) on its consideration of a code of practice for biometrics. DINZ is Aotearoa's only community dedicated to digital identity, delivering trustworthy and recognised thought leadership that influences digital identity decision-making for the common good.

As signalled in last month’s newsletter, DINZ’s submission to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner’s consultation paper on Biometrics did proceed to plan, and we were grateful to receive OPC’s thanks and acknowledgement of the work put in by our special interest group of DINZ members.