The Risks and Implications of a Digital Identity System: A Call for Caution and Privacy Protection

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is facing criticism for its push to implement a digital identity system that could have significant implications for privacy and equity. A movement is underway to create a system that would allow people to carry their ID on their phones or digital smart cards, but concerns have been raised about the potential for increased tracking and surveillance.

The TSA’s proposed system would allow ID card issuers to track where people show their ID, lacks important privacy protections, and could disadvantage those who do not have smartphones. Critics argue that the system could give too much power to government agencies and corporations, raising questions about who should be able to require someone to identify themselves and how that information can be used.

The push for a digital identity system stems from the Real ID Act of 2005, which mandated federal standards for physical driver’s licenses. In 2020, Congress extended this law to digital IDs, leaving the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to determine the rules for compliance. The TSA has been tasked with overseeing the process, leading to concerns about the agency’s influence over the design of the system.

While there is innovation in the digital ID space, with standards like Verifiable Credentials being developed, the TSA’s proposed system has come under fire for its lack of privacy protections and potential corporate control. Critics argue that the TSA is moving too quickly to implement a flawed standard, potentially locking the country into a system that prioritizes surveillance over privacy.

As the debate over digital IDs continues, it is clear that careful consideration is needed to ensure that any system implemented protects privacy and does not disadvantage certain groups. Critics are urging the TSA to slow down and take the time to develop a system that prioritizes privacy and equity for all individuals.