Tan Kin Lian - Perspectives Digital identity and digital payment
I support the creation of a digital identity (such as SingPass) and digital payment (to replace cash payment).

Some people are worried that it would allow the government to track the activities and payments of individuals. A bad government can use this power to oppress some individuals that they do not like.
I agree that this risk exists.

However, a bad government already has the power to oppress its opponents under the existing environment. For example, they can track the movement of individuals using the mobile phone data and digital payment from bank accounts. The use of cash for anonymous payment is for small amounts that usually do not matter.

I will now cover the positive aspects of digital identity and digital payment.

The use of digital identity helps to stop individuals from using anonymous identity to carry out scams and spread misinformation, hate speech and harassment of other individuals. The misuse of anonymous identity has reached a large scale and needs to be controlled. Freedom and anonymity should not be abused to achieve bad intents.

Digital payment, to replace cash payment, will improve productivity and free up the use of manpower for useful purpose, for example, to give more leisure time to workers.

There are instances where digital payments are abused, and individuals have lost money through scams carried out on these platforms.

These incidents are relatively infrequently. The flaws in the security infrastructure can be rectified.
We must not overlook the loss of money that occurs daily with cash payments. Wallets are regularly stolen or lost, although they are not highlighted in the media.

I suspect that the loss of cash currency is much larger than the loss reported from the digital payment platforms.

After considering the risks and benefits of digital identity and digital payment, I support the move towards the use of the digital platforms.

This will help to improve efficiency and give a more secure and better life for everyone.

Tan Kin Lian

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