What you should know
- Google has enhanced its Wallet app to include the ability to store workplace IDs, driver’s licenses, and digital IDs, with the feature initially launching in Maryland and expanding to Arizona, Colorado, and Georgia.
- Dong Min Kim, the director of product management for Google Wallet, emphasized the pivotal role of digital ID for Google in 2024 and hinted at the forthcoming expansion of support for more states within the Wallet app on Android.
- Google is collaborating with local authorities to expand its digital ID service to more states, despite the complex journey due to varied rules and regulations governing digital IDs across different US states.
- Kim expressed a bold vision for Google Wallet, aiming to create a wallet that will make people feel comfortable leaving their physical wallet at home, and confirmed plans to extend similar ID features to other countries.
Full Story
Google’s Wallet app made some big strides last year. It’s morphed into a more comprehensive digital wallet solution.
One of the cool new features? The ability to store your workplace IDs right in the app. That’s a pretty handy feature for a lot of people.
But that’s not all! Google also added driver’s licenses and digital IDs to the app. Now, managing these crucial documents is a breeze.
This feature first saw the light of day in Maryland. Since then, it’s made its way to Arizona, Colorado, and Georgia. And it looks like it won’t stop there. More states might soon be able to enjoy this feature.
Dong Min Kim, the big boss of product management for Google Wallet, had a chat with American Banker (via 9to5Google). He stressed that digital ID is gonna be a big deal for Google in 2024. He also dropped some hints about more states getting support in the Wallet app on Android.
According to Kim, Google is working with local authorities to roll out its digital ID service to more states. But it’s not a walk in the park. There are different rules and regulations for digital IDs in different US states.
Take Georgia, for example. 150,000 residents have signed up for the digital ID program. But these IDs are only accepted at certain TSA checkpoints and don’t replace physical cards.
Then there’s California. They don’t have a full digital ID system yet. They’re testing a digital ID project with 170,000 participants. But they’ll need new laws for a broader implementation.
Digital IDs aren’t like mobile payments and digital payment cards. They have to follow the unique rules of each state. So, Google has to work with each state individually to add digital IDs to Google Wallet.
Despite these challenges, Kim has a bold vision. He said, “We want to create a wallet that will make people feel comfortable leaving their physical wallet at home.”
We don’t know yet which states will join the digital ID initiative. But Kim hinted that there’ll be announcements soon.
And Google’s not just thinking about the US. Kim confirmed plans to bring similar ID features to other countries. So, keep your eyes peeled for updates!
