An open letter is seeking help from the community and market to find ways to ensure compatibility between two emerging standards for digital driving license’s, and potentially for credentials more generally, and that they do what implementers want them to do. The standards emerging are the W3C VC (verifiable credentials) Data Model and the ISO 18013-5 mDL (mobile driving license).

The beta was announced by Google’s support unit, but the idea was teased at least as far back as November 2017, when Digital ID vendor Yoti put a license app on Google’s Play marketplace.

Californians are understandably proud of what their state has done to advance privacy protection by enacting comprehensive privacy legislation in 2018. That pride now stands in the way of federal privacy legislation. As a strong bill advanced to the House floor, California officials mounted a full court lobbying press against its preemption of provisions in state laws that are “covered by” provisions in the federal law.

“Colorado is at the forefront of digital innovation to better serve customers,” said Executive Director Mark Ferrandino, Colorado Department of Revenue, in a news release. “We are committed to saving people time, enhancing convenience and security, and expanding accessibility for all Coloradans.”

A quick glance at any online discussion board reveals the challenges confronting digital identity, and why we’re so wedded to the plastic driver’s licenses in our wallets.

The total number of digital IDs, including driver’s licenses, health cards and fishing licenses in the state is 2.5 million, according to Envoc. They are part of the LA Wallet, which the firm created for the state.

The state’s mobile driver’s license system was developed by IDEMIA in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Safety (DPS), and launched last year. Residents who are interested in the MDL can sign up when they receive their physical driver’s licenses, essentially enabling the creation of a virtual duplicate of their physical ID.

Digital identity verification has wide-ranging implications that can improve quality of life, maintain a high level of security and privacy, and improve access to public and private sector resources for high-need communities.

Illinois is looking into the idea of going digital because of House Bill 0260, which requires the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office to conduct a study on the feasibility of implementing digital license plates and driver’s licenses.

Mississippi’s mobile driver’s license program faces its first real statewide test next month, as residents will be allowed to use their smartphones as their identification when they vote.