Future versions of the Android mobile operating system will support electronic IDs, as Google said at the developer conference Google I/O 2019.
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 like these have many security requirements and include a application client on the owner's mobile 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 said it is waiting for official "standardization from ISO" before moving forward with the new one project.
Apple iOS does not currently support an electronic identity system.
But China seems to be is already making efforts for this feature. THE government of Beijing is partnering with Alibaba and Tencent to test two different digital identity systems in various cities across the country – via the AliPay and WeChat apps.
The two applications will allow the users link their real IDs to their apps, on their smartphones, 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.
