Google wants you to stop storing your identification documents like drivers’ license in your wallet. Instead, it is working on a mechanism that will allow you to store digital IDs on your Android smartphone.
XDA Developers have reported that Google is working on an API named “IdentityCredentialAPI” which will act as a digital wallet for your documents. The API framework will allow you to show your documents after you’ve authenticated using the fingerprint scanner, password or retina scanner.
To ensure safety, Google will implement two kinds of data authentication – static and dynamic. When static authentication is deployed, keys are created by an issuing authority whereas dynamic authentication involves keys created by the device’s own security hardware. It is similar to Titan M in the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL.
Dynamic authentication would make it nearly impossible for intruders to access your digital ID without your permission.
To show your digital driver’s license to a cop, you’d need to establish a wireless connection via NFC that would display the license on the cop’s smartphone.
Additionally, XDA has also said that the feature would work even when the device’s battery is too low for normal operation.
As futuristic as it sounds, it’s just the beginning, and we’re not expecting something like this until Android R, which is due in 2020.
You can read more about IdentityCredentialAPI on XDA’s blog post.
