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.
And setting a timetable for such a feature would be very difficult, as electronic IDs require high encryption, which, in turn, requires top-notch and secure hardware.
"Applications such as these have many security requirements and include a client application on the holder's cell phone, a reader / verifier device, and certificate systems to be used to issue, update and revoke a license," Mayrhofer said. and Xin.
“We will provide APIs and some reference implementation of HALs for Android devices to ensure that the platform offers the building blocks that similar security applications use to protect personal data".
Google has said that it is awaiting official "ISO standardization" before proceeding with the new project.
Apple iOS does not currently support an electronic identity system.
Η China but it seems to 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 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 finally manages to get approval for its addition modes on Android it will become very easy for many application developers to support a similar "electronic identity" system within their applications, using Google's 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.
