Apple, Google Wallets Now Support California Driver's Licenses (techcrunch.com) 31
Residents of California can now store their driver's license or state ID in Apple or Google Wallet, according to an announcement today. Apple also shared the news. TechCrunch reports: Californians with an ID in the Apple Wallet or Google Wallet app can use their mobile devices to present their ID in person at select TSA security checkpoints and businesses. They can also use the app to verify their age or identity in select apps. Other states that already support digital driver's licenses and state IDs include Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, and Ohio.
I'm not sure what's special about this. (Score:1)
Re: (Score:3)
It's special because the population of California is huge. A LOT of people will be doing this. Even if it's a stupid idea. Then they'll drive to other states. The cops will pull you over there and they'll laugh as you try to use a digital driver's license. This will push the progress forward, as it might not be accepted like this at first. Eventually, all states will be doing it, and it will be weird to have a physical card.
Re:I'm not sure what's special about this. (Score:4, Insightful)
Eventually, all states will be doing it, and it will be weird to have a physical card.
Who would want their only version of important cards on a mobile device susceptible to damage or outside influence.
Imagine being stranded without your government ID or money after an accident because your phone was submerged in liquid too long or fell/suffered some other high impact. Or just ran out of battery.
Re: (Score:1)
I'm pretty certain the actual fact that you have a drivers license is stored in the cloud. Losing your device won't lose it.
Re:I'm not sure what's special about this. (Score:5, Informative)
I'm pretty certain the actual fact that you have a drivers license is stored in the cloud. Losing your device won't lose it.
What, the cop asks you for ID and you give them your cloud login ‘cause your ID battery died? Not exactly an ideal solution for every situation involving identification. Look on the shitty side too. Failure to provide a drivers license will almost certainly earn you a nice fine when pulled over. Rack up more fines if your auto insurance ID battery died too. So much for getting a warning.
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Yea I think you will be stuck if your device breaks.
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What, the cop asks you for ID and you give them your cloud login ‘cause your ID battery died?
Even cars from 15 years ago have USB chargers built-in. Older cars can use a USB adapter in the cigarette lighter.
Rack up more fines if your auto insurance ID battery died too.
A photocopy of your insurance card is sufficient. It can't be lost like a DL. You can just print a replacement.
Re: I'm not sure what's special about this. (Score:2)
Using that logic, why is it necessary for anyone to carry an ID card then? Can't the police just look you up by your name and address and view the photo on their cruiser's terminal?
Re: (Score:2)
Using that logic, why is it necessary for anyone to carry an ID card then?
It isn't.
Can't the police just look you up by your name and address and view the photo on their cruiser's terminal?
Requiring a DL to be carried is a great pretext for the police to harass teenagers and black people.
I want this (Score:2)
Many times I've left home without my wallet or remembered at the last minute that I need to carry my license with me, so I had to run upstairs to grab it. I would much rather not have to carry it. Yes, I would rather give the physical card to someone for ID, especially a police officer, but at least with this system I have the option of using the digital version and leaving my wallet at home.
Since I can use Google Pay instead of using my physical credit card, and I have a digital library card, there's not
Re: (Score:2)
I suppose using my phone with an ATM is next.
My banking app will let me generate a 1 time code for a cash withdrawal at an atm without using my actual bank card.
Re: (Score:3)
Many times I've left home without my wallet or remembered at the last minute that I need to carry my license with me, so I had to run upstairs to grab it. I would much rather not have to carry it. Yes, I would rather give the physical card to someone for ID, especially a police officer, but at least with this system I have the option of using the digital version and leaving my wallet at home.
Since I can use Google Pay instead of using my physical credit card, and I have a digital library card, there's not much left where I need my wallet unless I'm using cash. I suppose using my phone with an ATM is next.
By your own admittance, you stated you would rather give a physical card to a police officer. Shit Happens. Shit that can require law enforcement rather easily (such as a car accident that’s not your fault) What will be your actual preference in that situation, since you stopped carrying a physical card? You “especially” sure you want this?
Smartphones are already a panic-attack inducing device when suddenly lost or stolen for a lot of people. Really not sure how freeing a pocket from
I guess it's better than nothing (Score:2)
And if you're a person of color as it were yeah I would not fuck with this.
Re: (Score:2)
I suppose using my phone with an ATM is next.
That already works in many countries.
I tried it (Score:2)
I went thru the setup. It was pretty straightforward.
Scan the front and back of the drivers license. San your face (look forward, turn head right, turn head left, look up). Then it sends the info to the DMV for authentication -no explanation of how that works, but I doubt anyone will visually verify that the me in the video looks like the official photo (I don't -the photo is a few years old).
Once the DMV authorizes it, I will play with the settings, and see what the options are and how much information
Phone unlocked? (Score:2)
Re: Phone unlocked? (Score:2)
Yes, exactly. Even if you are not a criminal, this will unlock your phone allowing police access to everything. The police may see things that appear illegal starting a chain of events where you need to prove your innocence. And already police have stolen nudes from women when handed unlocked phones, so this is not theoretical.
Re: (Score:2)
You do not need to unlock the phone to show your DL.
You do not need to hand the phone to the cop.
From the announcement:
"When presenting an ID in Apple Wallet, only the information needed for the transaction is presented, and the user has the opportunity to review and authorize the information being requested with Face ID or Touch ID before it is shared. Users do not need to unlock, show, or hand over their device to present their ID."
California DL in Apple Wallet [apple.com]
Re: (Score:1)
In Denmark you need to unlock the phone, and press the validation mode button. Then the police or other authority will use their own device to scan the fast changing QR code on their device. Just to make sure it is not a static something you copied.
Here the phone will not have to leave your hands.
Unlocked phone (Score:4, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2)
Yes, please give a the police, TSA, or other law enforcement official your unlocked phone so they can exfiltrate all of your data and chats. This seems like a dumb idea.
It's not dumb if you're the government.
A lot of stuff is being "made convenient" now for phones that used to be considered by us old farts to need to be kept secure. Fortunately, it's still acceptable to have it separate and NOT ON THE PHONE in most states.
Re: (Score:2)
It should be able to produce a QR code that they'd scan and never take possession of the phone itself.
Otherwise, you'd want some sort of "Valet mode" that locks the phone down other than showing the DL info and nothing else until the phone is unlocked.
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Yes, please give a the police, TSA, or other law enforcement official your unlocked phone
You do not need to unlock the phone to show your DL.
You do not need to hand the phone to the cop.
From the announcement:
"When presenting an ID in Apple Wallet, only the information needed for the transaction is presented, and the user has the opportunity to review and authorize the information being requested with Face ID or Touch ID before it is shared. Users do not need to unlock, show, or hand over their device to present their ID."
California DL in Apple Wallet [apple.com]
This seems like a dumb idea.
Especially if you didn't RTFA.
Digital records future is scary (Score:1)
Way too late (Score:1)
In Denmark we have had digital drivers license for close to 2 years, they are working as a valid ID, and there is even a validation mode in the app that can verify another persons ID online - This is a fast changing QR code. You can show/hide your SSN depending on use.
Thus we have stronger identity validation using that - than any of the physical means.