Apple Out Muscles States Like Utah, Georgia, and Arizona on Digital IDs and Costs
Posted on 11/14/2021
In June 2021, Apple Inc. disclosed they would soon store state-issued identification cards in the iPhone’s Wallet app. Apple is trying to get its tentacles in a global ID infrastructure, giving it more power, control, and financial profitability over consumers in the U.S. and globally. Apple would likely combine its biometric security measures like Face ID with state-issued digital IDs. Apple’s market power lies in its ability to build and construct its own ecosystem. One great example of this is Apple’s App Store.
State governments see an opportunity in turning smartphones, like Apple’s iPhone, into tracking digital passports. Apple Inc. is negotiating with states such as Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, Utah, Georgia, Arizona, Kentucky, and Oklahoma on having those state governments foot the bill and provide customer support if Apple were to turn iPhones into digital identification cards. Apple would mandate the state governments to maintain systems, issue and service various credentials, and hire personnel to deal with inquiries from Apple. Apple also gets power to review and preview the marketing of how state government’s will be selling the digital IDs. Essentially, Apple wants the state governments to fund and be liable for the financial burden, while profiting from existing tech.
Image Credit: Apple Inc.
Why are state governments in Utah, Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Arizona ceding control of private citizens’ IDs to Apple? The selling point for government officials is convenience.