In California, residents will soon be able to securely store their digital driver’s licenses and state IDs within the Apple Wallet app, providing a convenient and secure method for accessing these identification documents using only their iPhone or Apple Watch.
“Apple is thrilled to partner with the state of California to rapidly deliver IDs directly to users’ Apple Wallets, providing a secure, convenient, and personal method for Californians to present their driver’s licenses and state IDs in person or via the app using Apple Wallet.” “Using California driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet simplifies travel, effortlessly bypassing security checks, while also ensuring secure age verification or identification confirmation at businesses, all within the trusted environment of iPhone and Apple Watch.”
Customers possessing an ID stored in Apple Wallets can utilize their iPhone or Apple Watch to digitally present their ID at select TSA security checkpoints and vendors, as well as verify their age or identity in select apps.
Apple Pockets employs robust privacy and security features inherent in iPhone and Apple Watch, working together to safeguard users’ identities and personal information effectively. When adding an ID to Apple Wallets, the issuing authority receives exclusive data to verify and authenticate the individual’s identification, comprising their driver’s license or state ID for approval or denial purposes.
When customers present their driver’s licenses and state IDs within Apple Wallet, only the necessary information required for the transaction is provided, and users must review and authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID before the data is shared. Customers are spared the hassle of having to unlock, present, and surrender their device in order to verify their identity.
Consumers’ sensitive identification information is securely stored in an encrypted format on their personal device, ensuring that unauthorized individuals, including Apple, cannot access it unless the user intentionally shares it. Apple does not possess information regarding when, where, or with whom an individual presents their driver’s license or state-issued identification card, nor does it collect or store any data related to these interactions. When a consumer loses their iPhone or Apple Watch, they typically turn to the Find My app to secure their device, attempting to locate it, or remotely wipe its data if necessary.
Nowadays, Apple Wallet IDs exist in five distinct states: Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, Georgia, and most recently, Ohio.
