News: 0175086953

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Apple, Google Wallets Now Support California Driver's Licenses (techcrunch.com)

(Thursday September 19, 2024 @11:30PM (BeauHD) from the one-less-thing-to-carry dept.)


Residents of California can now store their driver's license or state ID in Apple or Google Wallet , according to an [1]announcement today. Apple also [2]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.



[1] https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/09/19/californians-can-now-store-drivers-licenses-state-ids-in-apple-wallet/

[2] https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/09/apple-brings-california-drivers-licenses-and-state-ids-to-apple-wallet/



I'm not sure what's special about this. (Score:1)

by Seven Spirals ( 4924941 )

I've had my Colorado license in Apple wallet for a while, now. Some places still want to see it in the Colorado ID app, but what's the big deal with California, did they try to block it or something before it was approved? Is it because of the size of the state? The Colorado ID app has a weird feature where parts of the drop shadow around your ID will move when you tilt the phone. I've noticed it and sometimes when I show it, I notice the security person tilting the phone to make sure.

Re: (Score:3)

by anonymouscoward52236 ( 6163996 )

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: (Score:3)

by SeaFox ( 739806 )

> 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)

by spitzak ( 4019 )

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: (Score:3)

by geekmux ( 1040042 )

> 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.

Re: (Score:2)

by spitzak ( 4019 )

Yea I think you will be stuck if your device breaks.

Re: I'm not sure what's special about this. (Score:2)

by SeaFox ( 739806 )

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?

I want this (Score:2)

by crow ( 16139 )

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)

by Local ID10T ( 790134 )

> 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:2)

by geekmux ( 1040042 )

> 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)

by rsilvergun ( 571051 )

But for my money if a cop pulls me over there is no way in hell I want to try and hand him my phone. Never mind the privacy implications The added hassle of it is a great way to piss off a idiot with a gun and the right to find me hundreds of dollars cost me a hell of a lot more than that.

And if you're a person of color as it were yeah I would not fuck with this.

I tried it (Score:2)

by Local ID10T ( 790134 )

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:1)

by p51d007 ( 656414 )

I've never looked into these. Say you are stopped for a traffic violation. Can you bring it up without having to unlock your phone? Might not be such a good idea to hand your phone unlocked over to ANYONE.

Re: Phone unlocked? (Score:2)

by AnonCowardSince1997 ( 6258904 )

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.

Unlocked phone (Score:2)

by dotslashdot ( 694478 )

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.

Re: (Score:2)

by WoodstockJeff ( 568111 )

> 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.

<Manoj> shaleh: I am not, despite your implication, God