[Apologies for the cross-post if you're also on the linux-aus mailing list.] Just a quick update - I had a lovely call from a person at ATO responding to my complaint. A couple of things they mentioned: - ATO is the first agency to use MyGovID - they have a feedback form on https://www.mygovid.gov.au <- USE IT - they have received quite a bit of feedback similar to mine - there was some form of hard deadline in place around their previous authentication set up around 10 years ago - sounded like a contract expiry but I didn't get specifics - may have been just related to AusKey - they really didn't know how the transition was going to go - now they have learned, surprise surprise, for example a bunch of tax accountants who don't have smartphones - much respect to those accountants! - currently the Digital Identity team is only speaking with people who are having technical difficulties with the app, not people who want to participate in the upstream process All in all, they were very empathetic about the ethical issues of requiring Apple or Google accounts and trust in proprietary tech. If you can spare a few minutes, this is an important time to be heard and they are certainly listening. Regards, Ben On 24/3/20 5:44 pm, Ben Sturmfels wrote:
Hi Folks,
I've just sent a letter to the Commissioner of Taxation about the rollout of MyGovID as the only way to log in to the ATO Business Portal. This is attached in case there are any business owners who I can encourage to also speak out.
Essentially the ATO is switching off the nice email/password/SMS-code MyGov login method I use to access the Business Portal to manage tax/GST/PAYG/super. The are replacing this with login via a proprietary mobile app called, confusingly, MyGovID. I'm late to the party, with the changeover due in only a few days time, but better late than not heard at all.
I've sent this to the ATO by post and via their complaints form:
https://www.ato.gov.au/About-ATO/Contact-us/Complaints,-compliments-and-sugg...
I've also contacted our Federal MP about the issue.
Stay safe!
Ben
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