An alarming increase in fake digital IDs is thought to be driven by widespread access to AI, and pubs are taking additional measures to reduce their risk of penalty.
The option of digital identification has been introduced in most states in recent years. While conventional driver licence and photo ID cards incorporate security features such as holograms and watermarks, a digital image is unable to include some of these.
Before there were digital versions fake IDs were uncommon, but some operators now report seeing several each week that appear completely legitimate and can only be detected as fraudulent using a ‘verifier’ app that cross-checks the embedded QR code.
It’s thought many of the early fake IDs originated in NSW and are being used by minors in other states to attempt entry to licensed premises.
Chris Simons, manager of the Sugarland Tavern in Bundaberg, told the ABC the fake driver’s licences “looked almost perfect”.
The problem has prompted some Queensland venues to decline entry using a digital ID from NSW, requiring patrons to produce a hard copy.
Further to this, around 20 venues in the Bundaberg Bargara Liquor Accord have banded together to address the problem of underage patrons, warning that any under-18 caught attempting to enter pubs or clubs using fake IDs will be issued a ‘birthday present’ that bans them until they turn 19 years old.
Accord president Lloyd Finnis says they are trying to “squash” the problem before it gets too bad.
Priyanka Singh, cybersecurity lecturer at the University of Queensland, says the prevalence of fake digital identification has increased so much due to the widespread access to AI (artificial intelligence).
She also suggests minors may not properly realise the risks that come with procuring a fake ID containing their personal information, which might later be used by scammers, and calls for better training and education in schools.
Queensland’s Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) reports that it stresses the importance of ID checks with licensees. Queensland offers a free verifier app for licensees to check validity.
Transport for NSW is continuing to work with Service NSW and the police to strengthen both physical and digital identification assets, according to a spokesperson.
Operators continue to be frustrated that the onus remains almost entirely on the venue rather than the offender, even as the proliferation of offenders has shot up.
Being caught using fake identification can see a young person receive a $500 fine, or penalty of up to $4k if they are actually drinking alcohol within a licensed premise.
However, the penalty is orders of magnitude higher for the pub, where a staff member could be fined over $13k for serving an underage person and management slugged over $40k.
Digital IDs must adhere to strict security and privacy standards and fakes will not pass technical scrutiny.
NSW’s Department of Customer Service advises that scanning the QR code with an approved verifier app is the best way to validate digital identification. The apps are free for operators to download.
