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Moving to a digital wallet offers many conveniences, but it's also important to know the risks and mitigate any security issues. Protecting your online identity, even with a government-issued ID, is essential.
So how can you be confident that your identity is secure with a digital driver’s license? Let’s look at how Apple and others are going about securing your information and how to protect that information with the best VPNs.
A digital driver’s license is a new convenience, but what does it mean for your day-to-day life? A digital driver’s license is similar to Apple Pay or Google Pay, where your driver’s license is saved in your phone’s wallet, like a credit card.
But first, to get a digital version of your driver's license, your state needs to opt-in to have a digital driver’s license. Apple and Google have already implemented the technology in their digital wallets, so once your state gives the OK, you can add your digital driver’s license.
Arizona is the first state to roll out a digital ID through Apple Wallet. However, Arizona’s digital driver’s license cannot be used for age verification for purchasing alcohol or other products.
In Utah, mobile driver’s licenses are available through a pilot program, and the state is allowing digital driver’s licenses to be used in state liquor stores, some grocery stores, and more.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are both working on policies to guide the use of digital licenses. The TSA is testing a digital license program in select airports around the country, including:
A digital license may work differently depending on which U.S. state you're located in. For example, to set up Utah's mobile driver's license you'd follow these steps:
To complete the authentication of your ID, the app checks if the selfie matches the photo you previously took at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It also checks whether the data provided by the barcode you scanned matches the credentials on file in the Driver's License database.
If both your selfie and scanned credentials are a match, your digital license is activated on your phone.
Adding your digital driver’s license to your Apple or Google wallet is simple once your state has opted in. You’ll go to the Wallet app and select the + button for Apple devices.
From there, you’ll pick your state, scan the front and back of your ID, follow a few simple steps to verify your identity and send the information to your state for approval. Watch a video on how to add your digital driver’s license to your Apple Wallet.
Google Wallet is available on the Play Store, but its digital ID feature isn’t out just yet. Once this upgrade is released, you’ll be able to add your digital IDs to the wallet.
Most Apple devices should already have the Wallet app installed. If yours doesn’t, you can get the app for your Apple Watch or iOS device on the App Store.
If you’re looking for the Google Wallet app for your Android device, you can download it from Google's official site. (It hasn't been released to the Google Play store yet.)
While a digital driver’s license adds convenience to your life, there are many security and privacy concerns to consider before you use the service. With both Apple and Google’s digital driver’s license features, you’re getting the same level of security offered with the operating system's wallet features.
You’ll need to use Face ID, Touch ID, or a password to unlock your digital driver’s license on the iPhone. Google will also require a password. It is important to create a strong password to protect your personal information.
Your digital license is also verified with your state to prove it belongs to you before safely uploading it to your phone’s wallet.
While your personal data is secure, several privacy concerns have stemmed from digital driver’s licenses. The ACLU recently highlighted seven concerns about digital IDs. Those concerns include:
Apple lets you store your digital driver’s license securely in its wallet app. (Google should follow suit once its digital ID feature releases.) Several states also have separate apps that you can use to store your driver’s license, including Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
The popularity and legality of digital driver’s licenses continue to grow, with several states announcing support for the technology. However, digital licenses are currently only legal in a few states, including Arizona and Maryland. Other states are starting to roll out digital IDs, including Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Utah, Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, and Ohio, as well as Puerto Rico.
While TSA is currently testing the use of digital licenses in airports, you may not be able to use your digital license every time you need to show your ID. States will have individual regulations on how a digital driver’s license can be used.
A digital driver’s license is compatible with REAL ID. The TSA says, “In 2020, the U.S. Congress passed the REAL ID Modernization Act, allowing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to accept electronic transmission of user identity information and opening the possibility that novel digital technologies could be used to verify and maintain identity.”
As with all new technology, it’s important to ensure your information is secure and that the digital ID is approved wherever you’re going.
According to the TSA, “Digital identity has the ability to strengthen airport security and enhance the passenger experience by reducing touchpoints, providing greater privacy, and verifying IDs more accurately. The ability to automate the ID verification process is expected to mitigate risks while helping move passengers through screening more quickly.”
TSA is allowing digital driver’s licenses at select airports around the country. However, it is recommended that you still have your physical driver’s license with you and check the list of airports where TSA accepts digital driver’s licenses:
With the increase of digital services comes an increased desire for cybersecurity. One way to protect your digital driver's license, along with other digital data, is by using a virtual private network (VPN). VPNs can help protect you from hackers by encrypting your online traffic.
Here are some VPN recommendations you can use to protect your digital driver's license:
High-quality VPN offering safety and speed
Loads of servers for multiple connection options
Works with popular streaming services, including Netflix
Too many confusing plans
There are many benefits to a mobile ID, here are just a few:
States will take some time to roll out digital driver’s licenses. For now, Maryland and Arizona are the only states using it. Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Utah, Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio, and Puerto Rico will implement digital licenses in the future.
You can put your driver’s license on your iPhone if you reside in a state that currently allows digital driver’s licenses.
To add your license, go to your Apple Wallet and click the + icon. From there, you can follow the instructions within the app.
As of right now, there is no capability to add your passport to your Apple Wallet. You can add boarding passes, concert tickets, and more to your Apple Wallet, though.
Several states are currently rolling out digital driver’s licenses, which will allow you to have your ID on your phone for TSA and other purposes. The digital driver’s licenses undergo a verification process before becoming functional on your phone.
Digital driver’s licenses will add convenience to TSA checkpoints, and as the technology evolves, you’ll be able to use your digital license even more.
However, the roll-out may have a few hiccups as states start to approve digital licenses and implement the system. If you live in a state that already has a digital driver’s license program and you’re traveling through a TSA checkpoint that currently allows them, make sure you still have your physical ID with you just in case.
Apple and Google use software that keeps your ID secure in their wallet apps, just like your credit cards and other digital assets. However, as with all other personal data, there is some risk if your phone gets stolen or information gets hacked, but it is unlikely. To access your digital driver’s license, you’ll need your Face ID or password. To protect your digital information, we recommend investing in the best VPNs for iPhone or the best VPNs for Android.
High-quality VPN offering safety and speed
Loads of servers for multiple connection options
Works with popular streaming services, including Netflix
Too many confusing plans
