The Digital Ministry showcased a prototype of the Taiwan Digital Identity Wallet (TW DIW), which could be used in the future to display national ID, health insurance, and driver’s licenses in identity verification instances.
At a press conference Monday, Digital Ministry officials demonstrated the potential uses for the TW DIW, including picking up packages from convenience stores, online vehicle rental reservations, or identity-specific tickets such as those receiving a senior discount. Officials explained that a sandbox, or controlled, trial will begin at the end of March, with more open trial operations potentially beginning in December.
The ministry emphasized that this is not a payment method, and not an official digital ID– rather a way to quickly check or confirm various documents using only one’s phone, and the public is free to opt in or out. Digital Affairs official Li Yueh-lin (李岳寅) explained that the wallet is opened with a biometric ID. Then the user would scan a service provider QR or barcode, which will open a selective disclosure menu for the user. Li says the wallet displays the fields to be disclosed or required, which the user must confirm again before the information is sent, turning a troublesome daily encounter into a few convenient clicks.
Digital Minister Huang Yennun (黃彥男) details the importance of the TW DIW in the development of a digital society, explaining the use and dissemination of digital credentials as a cornerstone off of which other services can develop. It also gives people more control of their personal credentials through selective disclosure methods. Finally, the interoperability of a digital credential system can boost the development of a digital economy, and eventually, a smart digital society.
Currently, the system is only meant for identity confirmation purposes. A Health Ministry Health Insurance official clarified that while the health insurance card is included in the digital wallet, it cannot yet be used to share medical information or pick up prescriptions. As the plan is being rolled out in stages, more integrated medical abilities may be possible in the future but will require rigorous review.