Ciarán

Hi, Here is my late #introduction. My name is Ciarán. I am a guy in Ireland with a bit of a mix of interests. Strong DIY and repair focus. Currently into Open Source, Self Hosting, Linux, (Computers in general), and the Digital divides in our society. I enjoy tabletop wargames / skirmish games (Carnevale is my favourite). Leaning into miniature painting, terrain building and 3d printing. I am always trying something new and enjoy learning. This year I started growing my own veg.

It is a pain to access government services without a myGovID versus with one. This Digital Wallet will likely have the same impact. If you think that you can just get by without using it, I think you will be very much at a disadvantage in a few years time. You will be kinda forced to use it. So I am asking you provide feedback and try to help make it an app you will enjoy using. Preferably one that isnt reliant on a Google Account. [3/4]

What I have seen online has almost entirely focused on how this app will be used to keep children off social media. This Digital Wallet app aims to be far bigger and more important than that. [4/4]

The line in their FAQ that states that rooted phones will not work with the app is an indication that they are planning to use only Google's ecosystem for integrity checks (for Android). There are open source alternatives, such as Unified Attestation that would allow alternative android distributions to work. But unless there is the demand for it, the Irish government have no need to look into this. This consultation is the opportunity for those who would be affected to have a voice. [2/4]

@craignicol@glasgow.social @otfrom@functional.cafe Possibly. I have been watching that thread and I am disappointed that Germany is effectively going to exclude GraphineOS, Iodé, /e/, LineageOS and other degoogled phones. As far as I know, Ireland has not shown their code so their is a chance that we will not. I have email correspondce from the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation back in September indicating that they may be open to doing using a more open standard.

Can a parent/guardian store the digital documents of a child? Can multiple parents/guardians store the details of a single child? Can I share my documents with a person (face to face) without presenting my phone unlocked? I do not want to hand over my unlocked phone to a nightclub bouncer, for example. How can I migrate from my old phone to my new phone? Does the app require an internet connection to work? What happens if I am offline for a long time? [2/2]

@craignicol@glasgow.social @otfrom@functional.cafe Specifically I asked the Minister about if would they require Google's Attestation on Android and if the app would be exclusive to Google Play and Apple App Store and therefore users be subject to their T&Cs. Attestation - they recognised that Google Play is not mandated and open security standard were recommended. Stores - 3rd party app store and direct distribution were not ruled out and were being considered. Their position could change, but the consultation is vital.

Some items that are important to me and I will list as concerns, that might inspire ye: Open source and transparency is essential The wallet should be accessible by users of GraphineOS and other android forks Direct distribution of the app would be a welcome option and not exclusively Google Play dependent. Privacy concerns relating to who can see who I share my details with.

@willegible@mastodon.ie you are correct that it will not be 'mandatory'. But you can bet that the alternatives for government services will be frustrating, slow and underresourced. I feel that people will be pressured into adopting it - similar to the myGovID. And when this tool is rolled out for the use of age verification on online platforms, the alternative procedures available on that platform may not be agreeable (AI facescan or pictures of your passport).

@erikcats @trashheap But I would ask them to explore what happens if your current phone breaks and you dont wish to replace it. Or you are going to use a dumb phone. If only a special phone is required in your work duties, does your employer need to buy you a phone for work? Does this mean all your coworkers can get a free work phone if they switch to a phone not blessed by Microsoft? Again, please remain respectful, but document it all. [2\2]

@trashheap @erikcats I think the first point of call is to engage with your work IT admins and see what they think. I take it that this is your personal phone and not issued by your work? You could try to have a friendly conversation about what it be like for staff such as yourself to not carry a phone for work matters. If this app is required for you to access your work related duties, are other methods of MFA available for you?

@GrimDeck@mastodon.social usually my sleeves are different from other players, but if not, I have a few dice from KillTeam that can differentiate my creatures when used as a marker. As for clones, post-it notes are my current working solution, but I am looking for a better idea.

@Artemis201@mstdn.social thank you. I suspected it was somewhat automated as topics/posts were repeated over time. Likely set up to encourage we traffic to their website. It looks like the bot owner has retired it?

@trashheap@tech.lgbt@erikcats@dice.camp FYI, Microsoft will start blocking access to its authenticator app for android ROMs it doesn't like. https://www.theregister.com/2026/03/10/microsoft_authenticator_checks/ "Microsoft Authenticator is not officially supported on GrapheneOS and Entra accounts may be impacted in the future on devices running GrapheneOS that are detected as rooted," a Microsoft spokesperson said. If you use it for work, you will need to make other arrangements.