As Canadians seek out more government services online, the importance of delivering convenient and seamless experiences that do not compromise on privacy has become increasingly important. Amid these changes, Interac recently announced its Interac® sign-in service, a digital verification tool that empowers Canadians to securely access online government services, is on track to surpass 100 million transactions in 2022.
For four decades, Interac has been a trusted partner in verification – beginning with verifying Canadians with secure PIN to access their bank accounts. Interac sign-in service is part of the next evolution for Interac.
Here are five things Canadians should know about Interac sign-in service.
What does Interac sign-in service offer to Canadians?
Participation in the digital economy requires a foundation of trust. According to a 2022 survey by Interac, many Canadians want to access most or all government services online. However, over 40 per cent cite privacy as a concern when accessing these services.
Canadians can currently access over 280 federal and provincial government programs online with Interac sign-in service, such as logging in to a CRA account or registering for business grants with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
How does Interac work to make it simpler for Canadians to access these important services?
Interac found that over 44 per cent of Canadians said that verification measures for online government services can be confusing. Interac sign-in service simplifies the sign-in process by allowing Canadians to leverage their existing banking information to access government services via a digital credential they already have and trust rather than creating a new username and password.
Is Interac sign-in service the same as Government sign-In by Verified.Me?
Yes. Interac sign-in service is the new name for Government Sign-In by Verified.Me, and follows a 2021 announcement where Interac acquired the exclusive Canadian rights for the service.
How does Interac sign-in service safeguard user privacy?
Interac sign-in service offers Canadians access to a wide range of government services while prioritizing their privacy by putting them squarely in control over their personal information, including who can access it and when. When using Interac sign-in service, no personal information is shared and no party in the service – financial institution, government service or network operator – can trace the user’s steps through the system.
Will the name change affect how Canadians continue to use the established and trusted solution?
Canadians can continue to connect with and rely on the same secure and trusted sign in service that they have used to complete almost 100 million authentication transactions this year alone. As a leading financial brand, Interac is playing its part to keep Canadian digital information secure when accessing government services online.
