Future versions of the Android mobile operating system will support electronic IDs, as Google said at the developer conference Google I/O 2019.
"After Android Q, we're looking to add support for e-IDs for mobile apps, so your phone can be used as a means of identification, like a driver's license," said Rene Mayrhofer and Xiaowen Xin from the Android Security & Privacy team. in a presentation titled Security on Android: What's Next.
The company did not provide any additional information on whether it is developing a functional identity, but simply stated that it is a future goal. But what is definitely known is that we are not expected to see IDs in the upcoming Android Q.
Setting a timeline for such a feature would be very difficult, as electronic identifiers require high encryption, which, in turn, requires top-notch and secure hardware.
“Applications like these have many security requirements and include a client application in the mobile the owner's phone, a reader/verifier device and systems for issuing certificates that will be used to issue, update and revoke a license," Mayrhofer and Xin said.
"We will provide APIs and some HALs reporting application for Android devices to ensure that the platform offers the building blocks that use similar security applications for the protection of personal data."
Google has said that it is awaiting official "ISO standardization" before proceeding with the new project.
Apple's iOS does not currently support one electronic identity system.
But China seems to be is already making efforts for this feature. The Beijing government is working with Alibaba and Tencent to test two different digital identity systems in different cities across the country - through the AliPay and WeChat applications.
The two apps will allow users to link their real identities to their apps, at smartphones them and make purchases that would normally require various legal documents, such as an ID or a driver's license.
So if Google does finally get the approval to add the feature to Android it will be very easy for many application developers to support a similar "identity" system through their applications using Google APIs.
Naturally, the development of an electronic identity feature by Google's engineers will be more focused on creating cryptographic algorithms that will prevent the creation of fake identities.
