A recently leaked draft of an Executive Order shows the Biden Administration is considering expanding the required use of digital ID’s to fight fraud — a move that is being criticized by privacy advocates and civil liberties organizations. While Biden’s plans pertain to infrastructure for digital driver’s licenses, similar moves were made by former President Donald Trump under the guise of fighting illegal immigration.
Biden’s Executive Order was first reported on by NOTUS after the organization obtained a draft version. The draft viewed by NOTUS calls for federal and state governments to accelerate the adoption of so-called mobile driver’s licenses. “It is the policy of the executive branch to strongly encourage the use of digital identity documents,” the draft states.
Mobile driver’s licenses (mDL), or simply digital driver’s licenses
are another form of digital identity rolling out across North America in
3 common forms. This includes proprietary apps owned by a local, state,
or national government; various state-approved apps like SmartID; and
the Apple Wallet, which 4 U.S. states are currently using to host their
digital driver’s license....<<<Read More>>>...
According to a guide to digital driver’s licenses, users will open the chosen app, scan the front and back of their physical driver’s license, and then verify their identity with a selfie (or similar biometric data). Once verified, the user can began using their digital ID app as they would a physical ID card.