Background
The 2017 Policy Address announced a number of digital infrastructure projects to support the smart city development in Hong Kong. One of them is the provision of an electronic identity (officially named as “iAM Smart”) to all Hong Kong residents free of charge, enabling them to use a single digital identity and authentication method to conduct online government and commercial transactions.
“iAM Smart” Platform
Launched in December 2020, “iAM Smart” mobile app provides one-stop personalised digital services platform, which enables users to log in and use online services by their personal mobile phone in a smart and convenient way. All Hong Kong Identity Card holders aged 11 or above are eligible to register for “iAM Smart”.
“iAM Smart” Application Programming Interfaces
To enable public and private organisations to adopt “iAM Smart” in their online services, three sets of iAM Smart Application Programming Interfaces (“APIs”) are provided to online services of public and private organisations for authentication, digital signing and form-filling.
Authentication
Users will have a single digital identity that enables simple and secure login to various government and commercial online services. It brings convenience to daily life without having to manage different user names and passwords.
“e-ME” Form-Filling
Users can use the "e-ME" function to store their personalised data (such as name, gender, HKID Card number, date of birth, residential address, and contact phone number), and enjoy the convenience brought by auto form-filling and avoid filling in the same data for different applications.
Digital Signing
Users can use "iAM Smart+" to sign digitally in accordance with the Electronic Transactions Ordinance (Chapter 553 of the Laws of Hong Kong) to process legal documents and procedures online.
For further information about “iAM Smart”, its functions and “iAM Smart” APIs, please refer to the “iAM Smart” thematic portal (https://iamsmart.gov.hk).
“iAM Smart” Sandbox Programme
Cyberport collaborates with OGCIO to implement the “iAM Smart” Sandbox Programme (“Sandbox”) for public and private organisations to make access to “iAM Smart” API specifications and to perform tests on the “iAM Smart” API functions for adoption in their online services. Documentation and technical details will be provided to Sandbox participants to facilitate the system development of “iAM Smart” adoption.
The Sandbox comprises two phases to get participants prepared for production rollout:
Sandbox Phase 1
- Sandbox Phase 1 contains a developer portal with information about the “iAM Smart” APIs and an interactive console for API mock-up testing. With experience gained in this phase, participants may build up “iAM Smart” use case in their online services.
Sandbox Phase 2
- With use case and adoption plan in place after testing in Phase 1, participants can submit an application for entering Sandbox Phase 2, which provides an Integration Testing Environment (“ITE”) for conducting “iAM Smart” end-to-end testing.
Production Rollout
- After completing system development in the Phase 2 ITE, participants can apply for “iAM Smart” functions rollout in their online service, i.e. migrating their application in testing environment to production environment.
Who may apply for the Sandbox?
Currently, the Sandbox is open to companies from the following business sectors:
- Financial Sector
- Information and Communications Technology (“ICT”) Sector
- Telecommunications Sector
OGCIO will extend the adoption of “iAM Smart” APIs to the online services of other business sectors progressively. Announcements will be made on this website and the “iAM Smart” thematic portal (https://iamsmart.gov.hk).
If your company is not eligible to enter the Sandbox at the moment, you can still learn about the technical details and possible use cases of “iAM Smart” API at https://www.iamsmart.gov.hk/en/tech-detail.html.
Application Procedures for the Sandbox
A. Financial Sector
Those companies regulated by the four financial regulators can submit their applications to Sandbox via the regulators.
- The Hong Kong Monetary Authority
- The Securities and Futures Commission
- The Insurance Authority
- The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority
FinTech tenants and incubatees under Cyberport and Science Park can submit their applications to the Sandbox via the respective business parks .
B. ICT Sector
ICT companies can submit an application for Sandbox by completing the application form at here.
C. Telecommunications Sector
Telecommunications companies can submit an application for Sandbox by completing the application form at here.
