Earlier this month, Apple announced that it was releasing a feature in select states that would allow iPhone users to add their driver’s license or state ID to their Apple Wallet. This feature will be released first in Arizona and Georgia, with Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma and Utah to follow.
“The addition of driver’s licenses and state IDs to Apple Wallet is an important step in our vision of replacing the physical wallet with a secure and easy–to–use mobile wallet,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, in a statement found in Apple’s Sept. 1 press release about the announcement.
IPhone users will also be able to use their driver’s licenses or IDs during TSA checkpoints at select airports. These security checkpoints will be some of the first locations at which residents in the states mentioned above will be able to use their identification in the Apple Wallet.
However, privacy concerns have been voiced by many consumers.
The Apple Wallet has several security features, such as encrypting consumer identity data and protecting against tampering and theft. Identification in the Apple Wallet is only presented digitally through encrypted communication with the identity reader, so consumers do not have to unlock their device. Users can also use the Find My app to freeze or erase any Apple device that is lost.
Many Winthrop students believe that this is a promising development.
“I mean, we have credit cards, boarding passes and sometimes car keys on our phones already. I assumed it was just a matter of time before driver’s licenses and the like are digital,” said Daniel Hupp, a criminology major.
Theatre major Jacob Dunham, too, said this new Apple Wallet feature seems like it will be convenient.
“Adding the driver’s license makes it super worth the time, and it’s kind of cool,” Dunham said. “This also gives me the impression that Apple has become more innovative than ever.”
Freshman Melanie Williams said that “it could be convenient to have your driver’s license on your phone in case you lose it,” but pointed out that “we should still have a physical license on hand just in case your phone dies or you lose your phone.”
States that have already implemented this new Apple update are extremely pleased with it.
“Beyond being innovative and exciting, a digital version of a driver’s license offers increased security and privacy for our residents, making it something every resident should consider,” said Eric Jorgensen, director of the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division, in a statement.
Apple, the TSA and already–participating states will release more information on when this new program will become available in all 50 states.
Apple Wallet will also have a new update coming soon that will give users access to their home, apartment, and hotel room, as well as certain corporate badges. With the advance of technology, expect to see the loss of more and more physical items such as IDs and keys.
