SINGAPORE — The tedious process of filling up application forms every time a customer signs up for a new banking service may soon become a thing of the past. Instead, banks could retrieve customers’ personal details such as indentity card number, date of birth, address and income from a central digital database with a click of the mouse.

This function — which is already available on some Government e-services using the MyInfo platform since earlier this year — could be extended to the banking sector, as part of the initiatives currently on the drawing board of the newly established statutory board, Government Technology Agency (GovTech).

GovTech and the Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) were formed after a merger of the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) and the Media Development Authority (MDA).

GovTech’s role is to drive digital transformation in public services, including ensuring the security of government infocomm technology (ICT) systems and rolling out national-level ICT projects. It will focus on six areas: Data science, government infrastructure, cybersecurity, smart sensors, geospatial technology and application development.

On the other hand, the IMDA will help local companies seize opportunities in the digital economy, as well as cover the regulatory functions of the IDA, MDA and Personal Data Protection Commission.

First piloted in January and officially launched in May, MyInfo has about 100,000 sign-ups so far.

Users give their consent for their personal details — ranging from indentity card number and address, to Central Provident Fund balance and monthly household income — to be retrieved for 17 government e-services, including applications for new flats, for example.

This does away with the need for repeated submissions and presenting physical documents for verification for transactions.

Sign-ups for MyInfo can be done through SingPass.

At a briefing held earlier this week, GovTech chairman Ng Chee Khern said this autofill function could be useful for the healthcare industry as well. For instance, in emergency situations when patients might not have the time, or be able to provide personal details to hospitals.

Asked if there were security concerns with such a system, cybersecurity expert Anthony Lim said it would depend on where the data are stored, and on the robustness of the system.

“It would depend on how many places the data are stored at,” he said. “Obviously, the security would be better if the data were just stored in one place. Ideally, the data should also be encrypted so people don’t have to worry so much if the data were leaked or stolen.”

Another new initiative presented at GovTech’s official launch on Friday (oct 7) was a new digital platform called Parents Gateway, to make transactions for school matters more convenient. These include fee payments and signing consent forms for school trips. This platform will be tested at five schools from next month.

Speaking at the launch of GovTech on Friday, Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said: “GovTech will transform the way the Government delivers public services ... (and) works with other agencies to deliver digital services that are new, innovative and meaningful to citizens.”

He added: “Singapore must ... embrace technological change, in order to realise our vision of becoming a Smart Nation.”