Digital IDs: Use Cases and What’s Needed Next
Millions of Americans are embracing the convenience of mobile IDs, leaving their physical wallets behind. However, despite the growing adoption of digital identification, a critical question looms: Where are these digital IDs actually being accepted?
What’s the Need?
Digital IDs take care of the ID verification without the need for customers to overshare documents or for businesses to store personal data. Using a digital ID instead of sharing documents significantly reduces the risk of data theft for businesses and their customers.
The Landscape of Acceptance
Public records requests have revealed that over five million Americans have enrolled in mobile driver’s license (mDL) programs across 11 states with fully interoperable systems. Additionally, about a dozen other states, including California, are either piloting or planning to launch their own mDL initiatives.
Despite the significant uptake of mDLs, many users still find themselves carrying physical licenses due to limited acceptance by government agencies and businesses. The complexity of tracking true acceptance adds another layer of difficulty to the equation.
The Chicken-and-Egg Scenario
Eric Jorgensen, Director of the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) at the Arizona Department of Transportation, aptly describes the situation as a “chicken-and-the-egg scenario.” The adoption of mDLs hinges on the existence of use cases, yet the creation of these use cases relies on the availability of mDLs and willing users. Jorgensen emphasizes the need to build more use cases and drive progress forward while acknowledging that acceptance cannot be forced upon entities.
Tracking Acceptance: A Complicated Task
Determining which entities accept digital IDs proves to be a challenge. Some states like Iowa, Colorado, and Utah have established partnerships with businesses and government agencies ready to embrace mobile IDs. These states provide maps or directories to inform citizens about locations where mDLs are accepted.
The Path Forward: Collaboration and Education
Moving forward, collaboration between government agencies, businesses, and technology providers is crucial. Establishing clear standards and protocols for accepting digital IDs will facilitate widespread adoption. Additionally, educating both users and service providers about the benefits and functionalities of mDLs is essential to overcome barriers to acceptance.
While the transition to digital IDs presents numerous benefits in terms of convenience and efficiency, overcoming barriers to acceptance remains a formidable challenge. By fostering collaboration, establishing standards, and promoting education, stakeholders can pave the way for a future where digital IDs are widely accepted, ushering in a new era of seamless identification and access to services.
Sources:
4 considerations for launching an effective digital ID system – Route Fifty (route-fifty.com)
Digital IDs Are Here, but Where Are They Used and Accepted? (govtech.com)
