Security concerns hit digital license plan
The South Australian government has announced it will trial digital drivers' licences on mobile phones for tradespeople this year, and security concerns have been raised already.
An information security expert says the plan to replace South Australian drivers' licences with digital versions is unsafe.
Emeritus Professor Bill Caelli from the Queensland University of Technology says it is too easy for hackers to access people's private information.
“The problem is that 2015 has been a year of massive security breaches,” he told the ABC.
“In essence, the problem we've got is the platform in your smart phone is simply not ready.
“It is not secure enough yet to do precisely what they're talking about.
“It might be in the future, but right now? No way.”
South Australia's peak motoring body has warned the Government to tread carefully as well.
Royal Automobile Association Road Safety senior manager Charles Mountain said remaining safe from hackers would be difficult given how many government agencies needed access to the information.
“There's lots of work that has to be done to ensure the security and integrity is maintained and ensuring that all who chose not to take this form of system still have access to the existing one,” he said.
New South Wales is considering a similar trial this year.