Provincial government rolls out new video verification option for Service BC

Noting that BC is the first jurisdiction in North America to use an identity-verification solution using video, the provincial government said on Tuesday that a new virtual BC Services Card feature known as Send Video will make it easier, faster, and more secure for British Columbians to access online government services.

“We’re using innovation, technology and mobile options to improve the way we deliver services and programs to British Columbians,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Citizens’ Services. “Our new Send Video feature within the mobile BC Services Card gives people the choices and tools they need to connect with government supports and services quickly, safely and securely.”

The province noted that throughout the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic, “more and more people need online and telephone access to crucial government services.”

This, they said, has resulted in high call volumes to Service BC and “an increased demand for alternative ways to verify a person’s identity in order to activate a mobile BC Services Card.”

To address this demand, the provincial government launched Send Video, a remote identity-verification option for British Columbians.

Kang said people can use Send Video within the BC Services Card app from their iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet to send Service BC a photo and a short video of themselves at any time, day or night. A Service BC representative reviews and verifies the person’s identity and activates their mobile BC Services Card for online use within just a few hours. This service eliminates the need to visit a Service BC Centre for in-person identity verification.

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The BC Services Card mobile app was originally launched in 2018, and to date, more than 125,000 mobile BC Services Cards have been activated for online access to government services.

A total of 17 government services are currently available online, and plans are underway to bring more on board, said Kang.