Apple's iPhone Driver's License Feature Now Available in 11 U.S. States

[Alan Wynn]

I'm wondering if we will see a company like Square start supporting this soon with their Hardware/software for stores that use them as cash registers/card readers. I think that would help this gain traction quick. Imaging being able to walk up to the cash register and scan your Apple Watch/iPhone and it both verifies you are over 21, and pays for your goods all with one scan.

Most of the companies that already offer age verification systems already support this (here is an example from the App Store, there are many others). POS systems that read driver’s license bar codes are very likely to have NFC for ApplePay (and other Tap to Pay systems), so it would not take much work.

 

[gpwdeux]

It will serve to replace Driver’s Licenses in for many uses today, and in more and more states over time it will completely replace them, in a safer, more privacy preserving way.



Yes, that is correct. In Montana over the next year it will replace all state uses of a Driver’s License. It will take an extra year in Georgia.



Actually, using your formulation, only an idiot would voluntarily hand anyone his or her driver’s license rather than tap a digital ID that only provides only the legally mandated minimum required information.

So, for example, a young woman who only needs to provide proof of age would not be providing the clerk or bouncer her birth date and home address.

Finally, not carrying a physical ID makes it impossible to lose it in the same way as one can today. If one loses one’s phone or one’s watch, both ideas can be invalidated instantaneously, and do not provide information to anybody without the proper biometric information or passwords.

No, that’s a poorly formed strawman. When I hand over my driver’s license, I am not handing over the majority (if not entirely) my personal life, which is never the business of a government entity without a warrant. Are you really using the “you won’t lose it” argument?!?! I’m a centrist Gen X, but also a realist, you guys are so willing to give up your personal privacy for a the sake of a perceived convenience. Then you complain about the world gaming you when you gave them all the tools to do so. I almost pity you except that I don’t really care, to each their own.

 

[Beerstalker]

No, that’s a poorly formed strawman. When I hand over my driver’s license, I am not handing over the majority (if not entirely) my personal life, which is never the business of a government entity without a warrant. Are you really using the “you won’t lose it” argument?!?! I’m a centrist Gen X, but also a realist, you guys are so willing to give up your personal privacy for a the sake of a perceived convenience. Then you complain about the world gaming you when you gave them all the tools to do so. I almost pity you except that I don’t really care, to each their own.

This is the big misunderstanding so many that are opposed to digital licenses can't seem to understand.

With your digital license stored on your iPhone with this system you do not unlock you phone, or have to hand your phone to anyone.

You simply double click the side button and use FaceID, or your passcode to verify it is you. Just like you do to open your wallet for ApplePay. Instead of selecting a credit card you select your digital id. Then you hold your phone out next to their reader until it beeps, then you put it back in your pocket/purse/etc. Your phone is never unlocked, and your phone never leaves your hand. This even works with the Apple Watch if you have one, so your phone wouldn't even have to be taken out.

Here are more detailed instructions straight from Apple.

Present your driver's license from Apple Wallet - Apple Support

Use your iPhone or Apple Watch to present your eligible license or ID at select Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, businesses, and venues. You can also share your identity information in participating apps and websites.

support.apple.com

Here's a pretty in depth video discussing everything about Digital IDs on the iPhone explaining setup, use, etc. It's a bit bloated but covers a lot of good info too. Unfortunately from my quick scan thru it doesn't cover the actual process of using it very well, just where/how it can be used. So you still had people in the comments saying "I'm never going to hand my unlocked phone to a cop!" Other commenters have replied telling them you don't have to, but it just goes to show how quick people are to guess how something works without really knowing, or paying attention to the very thing they are reading/watching.

 

[Alan Wynn]

No, that’s a poorly formed strawman.

Not a strawman at all. You seem not to understand how this system works.

When I hand over my driver’s license, I am not handing over the majority (if not entirely) my personal life, which is never the business of a government entity without a warrant.

Have you ever used ApplePay? Do you give the store clerk you phone or just tap in on the tap to pay reader? You are not handing anyone anything with digital ID, where as for every use of your real driver’s license, you are actually handing someone your ID with all its information (including in some states one’s social security information).

Are you really using the “you won’t lose it” argument?!?!

Have you never lost your wallet? Do you not know anyone who has?

I’m a centrist Gen X, but also a realist, you guys are so willing to give up your personal privacy for a the sake of a perceived convenience.

Would you please explain how one “gives up one’s personal privacy” by using digital ID (or for that matter any pass in one’s Apple Wallet? I explained how it enhances privacy for every use of Driver’s License that is not proving ID to the cops, and from a privacy standpoint for police it is either equivalent (they have all one’s data), or better (some states put one’s social security on one’s ID but to not provide it to law enforcement in their databases, as well as make it harder for a cop to snap a photo of your ID while you are not paying attention.

Then you complain about the world gaming you when you gave them all the tools to do so. I almost pity you except that I don’t really care, to each their own.

How would the “world game” me using this technology?

 

[rbbloom99]

Guess all states aren't created equal...

All states are created equal. Some states are just more equal than others.