California to digitize driver's licenses, make them portable in Apple and Google Wallets
The US state of California has announced the introduction of a system that allows digital driver's licenses to be presented via Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, making it easier for California residents to complete procedures that require identification by simply holding up their smartphone or smartwatch.
California IDs coming soon in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet | Governor of California
Driver's licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet are coming soon to California - Apple
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/08/drivers-licenses-and-state-ids-in-apple-wallet-are-coming-soon-to-california/
California driver's licenses to be available on Apple, Google wallets - Axios San Francisco
https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/08/15/california-digital-drivers-license-apple-google-wallet
On August 15, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced, 'California is partnering with two of our state's leading companies, Apple and Google, to deliver convenient, private and secure driver's licenses and ID cards directly to people's phones.'
In California, a mobile driver's license (mDL) has been trialed through an app called 'CA DMV Wallet' since 2023, but the new service will make it possible to access digital driver's licenses from native iOS and Android apps.
Adding your driver's license to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet doesn't remove the requirement to carry a physical card, but it will make things more convenient at transit stations and other places because you'll just need to hold up your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android device to prove your identity.
So far, certain businesses, such as Circle K, and airports, such as San Francisco International Airport, have announced that they will support the presentation of digital driver's licenses.
'When you have your driver's license or ID card in Apple Wallet, you'll be able to seamlessly present it when you need to verify your identity, all with the security built into iPhone and Apple Watch,' said Jennifer Bailey, vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.
Proponents of mDL, including the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, argue that mDL can limit the personal information shared during payments and reviews while protecting users from identity theft and fraud.
Meanwhile, some advocacy groups and experts, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, acknowledge that digital IDs have some benefits, but warn that risks around privacy and surveillance cannot be ignored.
One concern is that if digital identities are not secure enough, everyday activities could be tracked and data could be provided to companies or governments without the ID owner's consent.
In response to these concerns, the DMV countered that 'other than mDL users' phone numbers and an encrypted photo of their license or ID, no personal data is permanently retained, so usage cannot be tracked or data sent from the device without consent.'
The California electronic driver's license service, which can be used with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, is scheduled to start within a few weeks of the announcement. Apple also plans to launch the Apple Wallet ID function in Japan from mid-2025 onwards.
Apple announces that it will roll out the Apple Wallet ID function in Japan, making it possible to present My Number cards on iPhones - GIGAZINE
Related Posts:
