Driver's license on your phone? It's finally coming to CT after a five-year wait
DMV commissioner Tony Guerrera said Connecticut plans to launch a Mobile ID app "within the next few months.” But some groups are raising privacy concerns.
A driver’s license on your phone?
There’s an app for that.
After a five-year wait, Mobile ID is finally coming to Connecticut soon.
Civil liberties groups are raising privacy concerns, but the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles insists that drivers’ personal data is secure.
FIVE YEAR WAIT
Connecticut is close to launching a virtual identification app for your phone, according to DMV commissioner Tony Guerrera.
“We’re on the verge of launching this very soon,” he said. “I’m hoping within the next few months.”
It’s been a long time in coming.
In 2021, Apple announced that Connecticut would be among the first states to adopt a state ID in Apple Wallet. Instead, Guerrera said Connecticut will now launch a standalone app like New York – at least for now.
“When this first came out, a lot of states did jump on board and they did this,” Guerrera said. “Then come to find out they had to re-do it all because of TSA issues or whatever may be.”
Police will not accept the new Mobile ID in place of a physical driver’s license, but it could be used at stores, restaurants and bars.
SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME?
Would you use virtual state identification?
“Yeah, probably, because I just started to learn about doing my Apple Wallet,” said Lily Santos, of Norwalk. “Sometimes if you leave your bag at home, then somebody – then at least you have a backup.”
But some drivers aren’t sold yet.
“Somebody could take your identity, information – probably try to duplicate it,” said Michael Alvarez, of Norwalk.
Apple uses face scanning technology to verify your identity and does not have access to your data.
But the code in some virtual ID programs can “phone home” to the app developer whenever they’re used. The American Civil Liberties Union recently warned that could create a “centralized digital record of every store and web site where a person has used their ID.”
Dozens of privacy advocates launched the “No Phone Home” campaign, calling for mobile driver’s licenses to use technology incapable of surveilling users.
Guerrera said Connecticut will not track when drivers utilize their Mobile ID.
“I want to make sure that's very clear. We’re not in the business of capturing people’s data to do that,” he said. “It’s just a convenience for you, instead of carrying your license and a wallet.”
Still, the ACLU is calling on states to add protections into law, like removing any “phone home” capability, letting users control their own data and blocking police from using an ID app to access the rest of your phone.
“THAT’S THE WAY IT IS”
Despite the warnings, some drivers aren’t concerned.
“I think that’s the way it is,” said Santos. “It’s not only the license, [it’s] everything, even the banking.”
Jim Graves, of New Canaan, agreed.
“You're tracked every day. Why not make life easier with a digital license?” he said. “Everything's going digital, right? I just paid Apple Pay. Why not have it on there?”
