myGovID is

application software Application may refer to: Mathematics and computing * Application software, computer software designed to help the user to perform specific tasks ** Application layer, an abstraction layer that specifies protocols and interface methods used in a ...

designed to allow users to authenticate with Australian Government websites and services. The app, developed by the

Australian Tax Office The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is an Australian statutory agency and the principal revenue collection body for the Australian Government. The ATO has responsibility for administering the Australian federal taxation system, superannuatio ...

and

Digital Transformation Agency The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) – an executive agency within the Australia’s Government’s Finance portfolio – supports the digital transformation of government services. Since 1 July 2022 it has done this by: * providing strate ...

first launched in October 2019, with a public beta being performed earlier that year in June. myGovID was created to unify the various authentication methods employed by departments across federal and local governments, most notably

AUSKey AUSKey was a piece of software designed as an alternate, more secure authentication method for businesses and users of Australian Government websites. The software was developed by Verizon Business, and launched by the Australian Taxation Office i ...

. The app allows users to verify their identity using

biometrics Biometrics are body measurements and calculations related to human characteristics. Biometric authentication (or realistic authentication) is used in computer science as a form of identification and access control. It is also used to identify ...

such as

fingerprints A fingerprint is an impression left by the friction ridges of a human finger. The recovery of partial fingerprints from a crime scene is an important method of forensic science. Moisture and grease on a finger result in fingerprints on surfa ...

facial recognition Facial recognition or face recognition may refer to: * Face detection, often a step done before facial recognition * Face perception, the process by which the human brain understands and interprets the face * Pareidolia, which involves, in part, se ...

. As of January 2021, the iOS version of the MyGovID app has a 1.7 / 5 rating on the Apple App Store and a 2.6 / 5 rating on the Google Play Store, with an overwhelming number of one star reviews in both app stores. Common issues raised in customer reviews are that the app has poor security (it is possible to register an account using commonly available information such as a drivers licence number, and it is possible to register multiple accounts for the same individual), the app refuses to recognise government-issued ID, does not permit changing most details, and has poor user interface / functionality. On 1 April 2020, the Tax Office disabled its legacy AUSKey and "Manage ABN Connections" login methods in favour of myGovID. The subsequent traffic spike caused minor outages during the day.{{Cite web, date=2020-04-01, title=ATO systems falter under myGovID, url=https://www.accountantsdaily.com.au/technology/14200-ato-systems-falter-under-mygovid, access-date=2020-11-01, website=www.accountantsdaily.com.au, language=en

References

Government software E-government in Australia 2019 establishments in Australia Taxation in Australia