Google is currently beta testing a new feature in Google Wallet that will allow US passports to be used as a form of ID. The new feature aims to streamline the security process at certain Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints by enabling travellers to use their digital passports and state-issued IDs as valid forms of ID.
The adoption of digital IDs has gradually increased across the US, with both Android and iPhone users benefiting more from Google Wallet rather than Apple Wallet. However, as this is still a beta, the digital ID feature is only available in certain airports. Specifically, only 21 states and Puerto Rico are equipped to accept these digital forms of identification.
Major airports in states like Arizona, Colorado, and Georgia have already begun accepting state IDs through Google Wallet. Additionally, California joined the trend last month by accepting digital IDs through both Apple Wallet and Google Wallet but only at a few airports.
Google has also been working with transit and payment providers to enable mobile payments for more universal access towards commuters. Recently, public transport tickets in Hamburg, Germany, were added to Google Wallet. Soon, the service will also be available for iPASS Card users in Taiwan and Octopus Card users in Hong Kong.
Travellers are now advised to check the TSA’s digital map on its website to determine if their departure or arrival airport supports digital IDs. Also, if it wasn’t made clear, the passport beta feature isn’t yet available for non-US Google Wallet users or in other countries.
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