My Government Account,” the unified online service platform administered by the government, has recently been upgraded with a simplified interface featuring larger and clearer icons for its mobile app, mainly to cater to senior citizens.
All individuals who legally reside in Macau and have a Macau cellphone number are eligible for the e-platform.
The platform is now available in three languages on the app, including English. However, not all sections have full English access.
For example, as a test yesterday, the Times tried to conduct a service booking procedure. The booking icons and the instructions were in English, but the privacy agreement, which the system requires all to read and agree to, was only available in Chinese or Portuguese.
Putting aside the privacy agreement defect, English readers can now apply for a number of government services and documents. For instance, they can apply for Business Registration Reports using the app. Meanwhile, they can also check their Social Security Fund installments or taxation payment statuses using the app.
Furthermore, from the start of 2021, senior residents can utilize the platform to update their proof of life documentation. The procedure is required annually in order to facilitate the delivery of senior subsidies, social security funds and, if applicable, government pension funds.
Apparently, the government has ensured the roll-out on time because all beneficiaries are required to register their proof of life documents in January each year. Meanwhile, beneficiaries of several other types of subsidies must register by August 31 each year.
Considering the fact that some senior citizens are not familiar with new technologies, the government has allowed such registrations to be made on a beneficiary’s behalf. Nonetheless, the registration must be made with the consent of the beneficiary, as well as a direct family member such as the person’s spouse, children or parents.
Even if the proof of life is submitted on a beneficiary’s behalf, the fund will only be transferred into the bank account of the beneficiary that was registered prior. The government stressed that the funds will be not deposited into anybody else’s account.
To facilitate representatives’ registration, the family members must also own a “My Government Account.”
When questioned by the Times as to how the electronic platform can recognize that the process was conducted by a direct family member, Chou Wai Kin, Acting Head of the Department of Research, Development and File Management of the Identification Bureau (DSI), told those gathered at the press conference held specifically to announce the new service that the transmission of data is unidirectional.
“No sharing of databases with other bureaus has been arranged,” Chou stressed, with Ng Wai Han, Deputy Director of the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau, echoing this.
The Times then attempted to clarify whether the data will be sent to the DSI for comparison in order to verify family relations, with Chou affirming this.
In the process of registering for proof of life, facial recognition of the beneficiary will be conducted. They will be asked by the system to adopt a series of facial expressions in front of the phone camera.
The government pledged that further services will be rolled out in order to attract more users.
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