Apple's Digital ID sparks privacy concerns

• Apple has unveiled a Digital ID feature as part of its Wallet app
• The feature has been met with a privacy backlash
• Some commentators are worried about surveillance and data security

Two days after Apple announced details of its new Digital ID tool and reactions online are still split.

As per Apple's announcement, the tool is "a new way for users to create an ID in Apple Wallet." For now, this US-only feature will let users present their passports via their phones at TSA checkpoints at more than 250 airports across the country.

Some commentators are enthusiastic about the convenience promised by Apple's new tool. However, others are more suspicious, citing privacy and security risks.

The current debate mirrors those occurring across Europe, where privacy advocates have criticized the UK's digital ID scheme and the EU's EUDI Wallet initiative.

How Apple intends to protect users' ID data

As is typical for any tool designed to handle highly sensitive personal data, two core issues are driving the current debate: potential government monitoring and on-device data security.

For its part, Apple promises to have taken a secure and privacy-preserving approach, including the use of encryption – like that used by the best VPNs – and advanced measures to help prevent tampering and theft.

The big Tech giant also ensures that passport data will only be stored directly on the device which should guarantee that no data is shared with the company. "Only the information needed for a transaction will be presented," said Apple.

Users can also use biometric authentication, such as Face ID or Touch ID, to ensure that only the owner can access or modify their Digital ID data.

What privacy advocates are saying

Apple's reassurances aren't convincing everyone in the cybersecurity space.

According to privacy advocate and Co-Founder of The Free Thought Project, Jason Bassler, the move might normalize giving up on privacy for the sake of convenience.

He wrote in a tweet: "The surrender of privacy is about to hit warp speed. This is step one of your digital leash, gift-wrapped as convenience. Once it’s 'normalized,' it’s irreversible. Then it’s 'optional.' Until it's not."

Other cybersecurity experts also took to LinkedIn to express their concerns.

For instance, Swiss InfoSec expert Jean-Paul Donner pointed out how both "law enforcement and hackers have tools to bypass iPhone security in certain cases."

A consortium of digital rights groups and technologists, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), recently released a statement claiming that "identity systems must be built without the technological ability for authorities to track when or where identity is used."

So, is Apple's infrastructure strong enough to guarantee the necessary safeguards our ID data deserves? For now, it's unclear.

TechRadar has reached out to several additional experts and organizations and will update this news story as we hear back.

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