One of the most highly anticipated features announced at WWDC 2021 was support for storing IDs in the Apple Wallet program. Getting a bit closer to this goal, there are now nearly 30 U.S. states as well as assorted territories working towards adopting digital IDs for citizens.
The TSA, which is currently running a pilot program for accepting digital IDs at a small number of airports, is apparently “working to enable” airport security checkpoints as “the first place you can use your digital ID.”
Although only Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, and Georgia have launched support for digital IDs via Apple Wallet on an iPhone or Apple Watch, per data compiled by the Secure Technology Alliance, nearly 30 states are in the process of adopting mobile digital licenses.
Granted, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll go on to support Apple Wallet’s implementation of the feature, they’re said to be exploring the idea.
The states are as follows:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana (New addition)
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont (New addition)
- Virginia
- Wyoming
The current U.S. territories pursuing this are Washngton, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
According to the Secure Technology Alliance, to be included on the list a state has to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Interoperable availability across operating systems
- Interoperable implementation in progress
- Pilot Activities
- Enacted legislation and/or study activity
- Non-ISO standard implementation
- Other mobile activity
The progress of these efforts varies from state to state. In some states, it’s as basic as legislation being introduced in support of digital IDs. In other states, there’s simply been “activity” regarding this adoption. As seen with the rollout of the COVID-19 Exposure Notification platform, delays are to be expected anytime Apple works on a state-by-state basis with individual governments.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via 9to5Mac and the Secure Technology Alliance