Google Wallet and Apple Wallet Expand Digital ID Support: What You Need to Know
The race to digitize our wallets is heating up! Google Wallet and Apple Wallet are expanding their support for digital IDs, offering users a more convenient and secure way to carry essential documents. This move not only simplifies everyday tasks but also presents a potential workaround for the upcoming REAL ID deadline.
Google Wallet is taking the lead by adding support for digital UK passports, allowing citizens to store their passport information securely on their Android devices. While not yet applicable for TSA checkpoints like US passport-based ID passes, Google is partnering with the Rail Delivery Group to enable digital ID verification for Railcard eligibility on railcard.co.uk. This functionality leverages a secure, system-level sheet, requiring user confirmation before sharing ID pass information. Google is also exploring certification within the UK's digital identity trust framework, potentially enabling the use of Wallet ID passes for age-restricted purchases like alcohol.
Meanwhile, both Google Wallet and Apple Wallet are expanding their support for state IDs within the US. Google announced that Arkansas, Montana, Puerto Rico, and West Virginia will soon support digital IDs in Wallet, bringing the total number of supported locations to ten. Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, and New Mexico users will also gain the ability to use their mobile IDs at the DMV for streamlined customer experiences. This expansion brings both platforms closer to offering ubiquitous digital identification.
One particularly exciting development is Google's integration of Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology. ZKP allows for age verification without revealing any personal identifying information. This is a major win for privacy, as it ensures that age verification doesn't compromise user identity. Google plans to leverage ZKP across its products and partner with apps like Bumble to verify user identity and age while protecting user privacy. Google also plans to open source the ZKP technology to other wallets and online services.
For those seeking to circumvent the REAL ID requirements, Google Wallet offers a potential solution. Users can utilize their ID pass created from a US passport at participating TSA checkpoints, even without a REAL ID. However, it's crucial to note that this workaround is limited to specific airports. So, while REAL ID deadline is fast approaching on May 7, Digital ID can be handy in specific instance.
Apple Wallet has been supporting digital state IDs since 2022. With Google also announcing its upcoming rollouts, it is highly likely that Arkansas, Montana and West Virginia, not yet supported by Apple Wallet, could be the next three states to support digital IDs for iPhone users as well.
The expansion of digital ID support in Google Wallet and Apple Wallet marks a significant step towards a more convenient and secure future. Will this digital ID revolution finally make physical wallets obsolete? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
