ANZ Plus launches digital identity service with ConnectID

ANZ Plus has announced the launch of its new Digital Identity service in collaboration with ConnectID, a digital identity solution developed by Australian Payments Plus (AP+). The new service aims to provide ANZ Plus customers with a streamlined way to verify their identity through participating businesses, using the information already held by ANZ Plus, thereby eliminating the need for separate identity documents.

This partnership signifies a key development in data privacy and security. Andrew Black, Managing Director of ConnectID, emphasised the importance of this new offering, stating, "We are delighted to have ANZ Plus go live with ConnectID. Its customers will enjoy greater control over what personal data is shared with and used by a business. ConnectID also ensures consumer and business convenience and confidence, with fast and secure identity verification."

The Digital Identity service intends to enhance the security of ANZ customer information, ensuring real-time identity verification through ConnectID. This will help minimise data sharing and protect customers against identity theft and fraud. AP+ developed ConnectID to allow individuals to verify their identity to businesses without repeatedly sharing unnecessary personal data. Importantly, ConnectID does not see or store personal information but acts as a bridge between the verifying organisation and the business requiring verification, operational only with customer authorisation.

In September 2021, ConnectID became the first non-government operator of a digital identity exchange to be accredited under the Australian Government's Trusted Digital Identity Framework (TDIF). This framework sets standards, rules, and guidelines based on international best practices. AP+ also welcomed the passage by the Senate of the Digital ID Bills in March this year, which is seen as a step forward for the digital economy.

Beyond security benefits, the service aims to reduce the amount of data that businesses need to hold. Gabriel Steele, ANZ General Manager, Customer & Identity Services, remarked, "We're pleased to help ANZ Plus customers keep control of their identity and minimise the sharing of data for services where this is not necessary. Not only do we see this better protecting our customers from the evolving threat of cybercrime, but we believe there's an equally significant opportunity to reduce the risk our business customers face in holding more data than required."

Steele further commented on the partnership with ConnectID, noting, "In partnership with ConnectID, we are excited to provide ANZ Plus customers with the choice to use a secure, convenient method to verify their identity with a growing list of approved merchants. We look forward to shaping the network to provide even greater customer value."

The ConnectID initiative underlines AP+'s efforts to modernise how Australians share their identity information securely. This approach aligns with the organisation's broader objective of delivering more innovation to Australia's payments ecosystem, benefiting businesses, government, and consumers alike.