Wednesday 8 April 2020

UC - multiple pages - feedback request is missing link for page for users to provide feedback

Date & time found: 08/04/20, 23:07 GMT
OS: Windows 10 x64
Browser: Google Chrome v81.0.4044.92 (Official Build) (64-bit)
Example webpages affected: 

1) https://www.universal-credit.service.gov.uk/sign-in
2) https://www.universal-credit.service.gov.uk/contact
3) https://www.universal-credit.service.gov.uk/privacypolicy
4) https://www.universal-credit.service.gov.uk/cookiepolicy
5) https://www.universal-credit.service.gov.uk/postcode-checker

Issue: Unlike the Civil Service Jobs site (https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi), the stated sites above do not appear have a link to a page for users to provide feedback.
Impact: Users on the stated UC pages can not easily see a way to provide feedback on their experience.

Screenshot for site 1):


Tuesday 7 April 2020

Universal Credit Sign in page - Service Unavailable?!

Date: 07/04/20
Time: Around 22:10
Website: https://www.universal-credit.service.gov.uk/sign-in
Operating System: Windows 10 x64 v1903
Browser: Google Chrome v80.0.3987.149 (Official Build) (64-bit)
Error message: "Sorry, the service is unavailable"
Screenshot of issue:



Sunday 29 March 2020

Issues with online process for claiming Universal Credit (UC) online

I have experienced a number of issues in the process of claiming Universal Credit (UC) online.

I note that as of 29/03/20 the service is apparently in "Beta", so bugs are likely to be present.

Some of these are detailed below, along with suggestions & potential improvements. This page is likely to be updated in the future.

1)
Who? Digidentity
Date issues found? 29/03/20

Issues
i) 
Website URL?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.digidentity&hl=en_GB
Purpose of page? Online verification of identity. Links to a version of App which is then not compatible with specific Android phones.
Name of App on Google play store? Digidentity
Nature of issue?
Android App "Digidentity" on Google play store is not compatible with specific Android phones according to Google, when signed into play store. Example phone: Vodafone VFD 510, Android version 7.1.1

Screenshot;

Impact of issue;
Digidentity App not available for many users for verifying identity as part of UC claim, and potentially other processes, and users also affected.

ii)
Website URL? my.digidentity.eu/purchases/2075242/step/3/identification_documents/uk/wizard/new?document_type=mobile_passport
Purpose of page? Online verification of identity.
Date issues found? 29/03/20
Nature of issue?
No visible option for user to go back to previous page of the verification process - eg a "Back" button, or other alternative.

Screenshot;


Impact of issue;
Not user-friendly process. Combination of issue 1) i) and ii) can result in users being left frustrated and / or lose patience.

---------------------------------------

2)
Who? Gov.uk Verify
Website URL? Currently unavailable - cannot access page after a UC claim is submitted online.
Purpose of page? Online verification of identity
Date of issue? 28/03/20
Nature of issue?
There is a link with wording similar to "Cannot verify online". There was no question on the linked page following this for the user to specify why they were not able to verify online.

Do Gov. uk Verify have data for users going through this link & subsequent linked page for why they were not able to verify online?

Screenshot;
Currently unavailable - cannot access page after a UC claim is submitted online.

Suggestion:
After the link is clicked, the process is changed; a question is asked to the user, similar to the below, with multiple choice option boxes allowing them to tick multiple answers that are relevant to them.
"Please select the reasons that you were not able to verify online;".
Suggested answers;
"One or more technical issues with third party website"
"One or more technical issues with Gov.uk Verify website"
"Could not follow instructions" (eg unclear what is being asked)
"Do not have a smartphone / tablet"
"My smartphone / tablet is not compatible with the third party app that is available"
(other answers...)
"Other (please specify);" [free text box]

Impact of issue;
If Gov.uk Verify do not have the data for the breakdown of reasons & applicable volume of why number of people who are not able to verify online, then it is logical to assume that they may not know the number of users affected by this. This data could be useful for improvements to the Verify process.

---------------------------------------
3)
Who? DWP / JCP (JobCentre Plus)
Website URL? Currently unavailable - cannot access page after a UC claim is submitted online.
Purpose of page? Allowing user to select accommodation type for part of process for claiming Universal Credit online.
Date of issue? 28/03/20
Nature of issue?
No visible option to specify "Short-let" as Accommodation type as part of UC claim process.
No "other" accommodation option and corresponding free text box to allow user to advise DWP / JCP of correct information.

Screenshot; Currently unavailable - cannot access page after a UC claim is submitted online.

Impact of issue;
Incorrect information for accommodation type as part of UC claim, since user was not allowed to select a relevant option.


Tuesday 2 October 2012


Want to stop badware? Follow this - Steve Irwin style :-).

Tuesday 31 July 2012

Tuesday 19 June 2012

Critical Updates - Microsoft "Patch Tuesday".

Have you installed the latest patches available for your Computer?

Monday 18 June 2012

Many vulnerabilities & exploits for commonly used software are known to Governments, but not necessarily in the public domain.