Future versions of the Android mobile operating system will support electronic IDs, as Google said at the developer conference Google I/O 2019.
Η company did not give 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 the electronic IDs in the upcoming Android Q.
And setting a timetable for such a feature would be very difficult, as electronic IDs require high encryption, which, in turn, requires top-of-the-line and safe hardware.
“Applications like these have a lot of demands on her better safety και περιλαμβάνουν μια εφαρμογή client στο κινητό τηλέφωνο του κατόχου, μια συσκευή αναγνώστη/επαληθευτή και συστήματα για εκδόσεις πιστοποιητικών που θα χρησιμοποιούνται για την έκδοση, την ενημέρωση και την ανάκληση κάποιας άδειας”, ανέφερε ο Mayrhofer και η Xin .
"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 any electronic system identity.
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 AliPay and WeChat apps.
The two apps will allow users to link their real IDs to their apps on their smartphones and make purchases that would normally require different legal documents, such as a police ID or driving 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.
