While in the US, two thirds of people use digital wallets, they have still generally only been used for everyday financial transactions. Now, however, there is increasing support from major wallet providers for the inclusion of mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) and state issued digital IDs created with data from electronic passports and additional biometrics. As a reliable way to authenticate age and identity, biometric systems are being installed in a number of different settings. Some countries have introduced biometric identification technologies to their voting processes and in the future this could help to minimize vulnerabilities within the US electoral system. In the meantime, on a more local level, greater support for mDLs in digital wallets has recently been introduced in Ohio where they are now accepted at a range of leisure and retail outlets. At the same time, biometrics are ensuring secure age verification and improving safety in local schools.
Wider Acceptance of Digital IDs
Following initiatives supporting user identification in digital wallets, Ohio residents can now present their digital ID at an increasing number of organizations and venues, throughout the state. These now include casinos, Ohio’s Bowling Green university and BGSU Athletics venues. The wider acceptance of mDLs in Ohio for age verification is a reflection of the broader trends towards adopting biometric and digital systems for ensuring secure transmissions and the protection of privacy. While this trend continues, it is still important for organizations to match these rapid developments in biometrics with appropriate security measures in order to protect potentially vulnerable personal data in the future.
Reliable Age Verification
In July 2024, Ohio made its mobile driver’s license and other state IDs available on Apple Wallet, and also launched an age verification app for businesses. In addition to presenting a digital ID, face biometrics are used to verify age in order to purchase from vending machines selling alcoholic drinks in a number of cities. By scanning a user’s id and then comparing face biometrics to a user’s ID, the vending machine at Progressive Field not only securely verifies age but also reduces the amount of time that customers have to spend queuing for drinks.
Improving School Safety
In response to rising security threats, school districts in Ohio including Promise Academy in Cleveland are implementing biometric systems to flag up potential threats and notify authorities in real time. With funding of $1million from the Department of Justice, five districts including Promise Academy in Cleveland, schools can enhance their safety levels with a security system that can be configured to suit their particular requirements. The system can be programmed to operate facial and license plate recognition, and detect for weapons and other suspicious objects.
The implementation of digital identification and biometric scanning is filtering through to a wider range of applications in society. On a local level, they are improving the process of age verification at a number of venues, while biometrics enhance the safety and efficiency of schools and universities in the region.
