Apple has launched its digital ID feature, allowing users in participating states to add their driver’s license or state ID to the Apple Wallet. The program was first made available in Arizona, with Maryland following as the second state to adopt the technology. The feature is designed for use at select Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoints in participating airports.

How Apple’s Digital ID Functions

According to Apple, the digital ID feature is designed with security and privacy as central elements. Identity data is encrypted and protected by the Secure Enclave, the same hardware that secures Face ID and Touch ID. To present the ID, users hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near an identity reader. A prompt on the device shows what specific information is being requested by the TSA. The user must authorize the release of this data using Face ID or Touch ID before it is shared. Apple has stated that users do not need to unlock, show, or hand over their device to a TSA agent. The company also confirmed that neither Apple nor the issuing states receive information about when or where a user presents their ID.

ACLU Outlines Surveillance and Data Risks

In response to the feature’s launch, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) raised significant privacy concerns. The organization published a report detailing potential risks associated with digital driver’s licenses. Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst at the ACLU, clarified that the primary issue lies not with Apple’s technology but with the policies that will govern its use by authorities. The ACLU’s main concern centers on interactions with law enforcement. The organization warned of scenarios where an officer might ask a citizen to hand over their unlocked phone to view the digital ID. Stanley noted this creates a risk of “fishing expeditions,” where police could then search for other personal information on the device. The ACLU’s position is that such a practice could infringe on civil liberties.

The introduction of Apple’s digital ID marks a significant step in digital identity verification. While Apple promotes the feature’s built-in privacy protections, civil liberties groups like the ACLU continue to highlight the potential for misuse by authorities in real-world scenarios based on existing policies and procedures.