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Comment by ozlikethewizard | Hacker News Reader

The issue is the obvious anti patterns in the following flow. While its not particularly egregious, someone has taken intentional steps to make it convuluted. Engaging with gov services should not feel like trying to unsubscribe from amazon prime:

Go to https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply

Click "Start Now" under apply online section (that is distinct from the app section)

Get taken to page saying to get the app, scroll to bottom and click small link "I cannot apply on the app"

Get taken to a help getting the app page, scroll to the bottom and click small link "Continue application online"

Finally be in right place

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But there's really good reason for this. On the app it can use NFC to read your passport data exactly. Until WebNFC supports reading passports, it is a much more efficient way.

It's not like they are getting some long term benefit of having the app on your phone. It's just because WebNFC can't read passports.

That is not a `good reason`, that is `convenience` and it shouldn't be used to push to install an app from increasingly hostile nations/corporations.

> It's not like they are getting some long term benefit of having the app on your phone. It's just because WebNFC can't read passports.

The same way we complain that Facebook, Tiktok, etc gather too much data from app install, so can a government agency.

You are literally sharing biometric passport information with the government for an ETA in this app. Information sharing is the whole point.

The information on my passport is of comparatively little value compared to the information on my devices. Most states could get my passport information with little more than a friendly request to my government, same for most, access to my phone however.

Why give up more information than is strictly necessary, so you can tap your passport on your phone? Not convincing imo.

Because for many people with poor eyesight, poor English or computer literacy tapping a passport is far easier than typing the data in with no risk of transcription errors.

Is it really convoluted? It's 2 clicks? If the mobile app solution is the better and simpler choice for most people, wouldn't it make sense for them to recommend it?

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