Google has exciting news for its Wallet users: digital IDs are set to roll out in more states and services, along with new privacy features and an expanded reach to 50 additional countries.
Residents in Arkansas, Montana, Puerto Rico, and West Virginia will soon have the convenience of storing their U.S. government-issued digital IDs in Google Wallet. Additionally, those in Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, and New Mexico can use their mobile IDs at the DMV, adding a layer of ease to the process.
With the REAL ID deadline approaching on May 7, 2025, Google has highlighted an alternative for domestic travelers. An ID Pass, created from your U.S. passport, will be usable for TSA security checks at supported airports. While this option doesn’t replace your physical ID, it offers a handy backup.
Beyond travel, users can leverage their digital ID for a variety of online services. Whether recovering Amazon accounts, accessing health services with CVS and MyChart, or verifying profiles on platforms like Uber, digital IDs facilitate smoother interactions.
In the U.K., Google is also enabling the creation of digital ID passes using U.K. passports, allowing residents to store them securely in Google Wallet.
Privacy remains a top priority for Google, with the integration of Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology. This ensures secure, private age verification without compromising user information. Through its Digital Credential API, this technology offers quick verification across devices and websites. Apps like Bumble will benefit by verifying user identities and ages without revealing personal details. Impressively, Google plans to open source this ZKP technology, allowing wider adoption.
Though details on the 50 new countries were not disclosed, this expansion underscores Google’s commitment to making digital credentials globally accessible.
