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What you need to know
Starting today, individuals in the U.K. can add their passports as a digital ID within their Google Wallets. This initiative aims to streamline the identification process, allowing users to verify their age and identity more efficiently and securely. Google is collaborating with the Rail Delivery Group to offer train passengers the convenience of using their digital IDs for designated Railcards. Furthermore, discussions are underway with the U.K.’s Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology to enhance the digital ID’s applications, particularly for age verification in alcohol purchases and similar scenarios.
On April 29, Google announced a significant expansion of digital ID access via Google Wallet for U.K. residents, joining several U.S. states where users can store their driver’s licenses and state IDs digitally.
Residents can now create digital ID passes featuring their U.K. passports, securely storing them in Google Wallet. This advancement facilitates easy identity verification at the touch of a button on mobile devices, eliminating the need to present physical IDs.
Initially, Google’s collaboration with the Rail Delivery Group will allow travelers to utilize their digital ID while using train services. However, it’s important to clarify that these digital IDs do not replace physical identification documents and cannot be used at airports for travel purposes.
In addition, Google is investigating potential certification opportunities with the U.K.’s Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology. This could enable residents to leverage their digital IDs for alcohol purchases and other related verifications.
The process of adding a U.K. passport to Google Wallet is straightforward. Users simply need to open the app, select “Add to Wallet”, choose “ID”, and follow the guided steps. This process mirrors that of integrating a U.S. passport into the app.
The application will ask users to upload photos of both sides of their ID and record a quick selfie video for verification purposes. Within a few minutes, a notification will confirm that the digital ID is ready for use. Once established, users can access it similarly to other payment cards within the app.
To bolster data privacy, Google has developed a new technology known as Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) specifically for Google Wallet. This mechanism ensures that the services used for identity verification cannot link back to the user’s specific information.
This technology synergizes with Google Wallet, allowing users to simultaneously verify their identity and age in applications such as Bumble. Google aims to create “a safer, more secure environment for everyone” with this initiative, and plans to open-source the ZKP technology to other wallets and online platforms in the future.
Digital IDs expand to more U.S. states
Google is broadening access to its digital IDs to residents of Arkansas, Montana, Puerto Rico, and West Virginia, allowing them to add government-issued digital IDs to Google Wallet.
Additionally, the eligibility for digital IDs is increasing in Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, and New Mexico. For example, users can now use their mobile IDs at the DMV, enhancing the customer experience.
Residents in these states will be able to utilize a digital ID pass created from a U.S. passport during domestic travel, particularly at TSA security checkpoints in participating airports, even without having a driver’s license or state-issued ID.
In the near future, users will also be able to employ their digital IDs for various services including recovering Amazon accounts, accessing healthcare services through CVS and MyChart by Epic, and validating profiles on ride-hailing platforms such as Uber.
Finally, Google Wallet is set to expand its services to 50 additional countries, allowing users to view and access digital passes both within the app and on the web, even where tap-to-pay capabilities are not yet available.
Source
www.androidcentral.com