Western Australia's planned rollout of digital driver's licences in 2027 has sparked debate among cybersecurity experts over data protection risks. The state government announced a trial beginning in mid-2027, with full implementation expected by year's end.
Curtin University's Dr Reza Ryan warned that centralised databases could become a 'honey pot' for hackers, potentially exposing personal information and enabling surveillance. He noted that many existing Australian digital licences fail to meet international security standards, increasing fraud vulnerability.
Dr Ryan also criticised the use of 'on-app holograms' in the ServiceWA app, saying they could be faked using generative AI if verifiers rely on visual checks instead of QR code scanning. He urged robust controls to ensure public comfort with the technology.
However, Edith Cowan University's Professor Paul Haskell-Dowland argued that smartphones have adequate security features like facial recognition and PIN codes. He acknowledged risks of centralised data but said digital licences are generally positive, reducing the need for physical cards.
The state government is investing over $28 million in the initiative. Assistant Transport Minister Jessica Stojkovski said physical licences will remain available for the foreseeable future, and that managing security is paramount, citing lessons from data breaches in other states.
