For users in the UK and certain U.S. states, Google Wallet is introducing digital ID support designed that could ease travel disruptions and streamline age-restricted purchases.
In Arkansas, Montana, Puerto Rico, and West Virginia—states which already offer government-issued digital IDs—residents will be able to add their identification to their digital wallet. Meanwhile, users in Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, and New Mexico will be able to use their mobile IDs at DMV locations.
Google noted the imminent REAL ID deadline in the U.S., and highlighted that Google Wallet can create an ID Pass from a passport that meets TSA security requirements for domestic travel at supported airports—even if customers don’t have a REAL ID driver’s license or state-issued ID.
Google is also rolling out similar functionality for its UK customers, who will be able to create digital ID passes using their passports and store them in Google Wallet.
Exploring Use Cases
Outside of travel applications, Google spotlighted several other potential use cases for its digital IDs, including Amazon account recovery, access to online health services, and identity verification on platform like Uber.
In the UK, Google noted that it is considering certification with the digital identity trust framework from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. This could allow consumers to use their Google Wallet ID passes for alcohol purchases.
Housing All the Components
The emergence of digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Wallet has shifted the payments landscape in recent years. While the ability to store tickets, prepaid cards, and payment methods in one central location is a gamechanger, digital wallets have yet to achieve ubiquity.
One reason for this is that U.S. consumers are comfortable with physical payment cards and haven’t yet found a compelling reason to using their phones for payments.
Another factor limiting the growth of digital wallets is that consumers still need to carry their physical wallet to hold identification. However, as digital IDs continue to gain traction, digital wallets could eventually house all the same components as their physical counterparts.
Finally, another barrier to digital wallet adoption has been availability, but that is changing as well. Google Wallet will be expanding its reach to 50 more countries.
