Online Safety and Privacy
Sep 15, 2025
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Min Read
What You Need to Know about Digital IDs and Mobile Driver’s Licenses Cybersecurity
In many parts around the United States and elsewhere around the globe, pulling out your driver’s license might now be as simple as unlocking your phone.
Many governments are rolling out digital IDs and mobile driver’s licenses (often abbreviated as mDLs) that live on your smartphone. Instead of carrying a plastic card, you’ll be able to verify your identity with just a tap or scan.
Like many new technologies, digital IDs promise convenience and security. At the same time, though, they raise important cybersecurity and privacy questions.
What is a mobile driver’s license?
A mobile driver’s license goes beyond the plastic card. Instead of living in your wallet, an mDL lives in your phone. It’s a digital credential issued by your state that’s stored in a secure app or mobile wallet, such as Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.
Unlike a physical card, an mDL can allow “selective disclosure.” For example, you can prove you’re over 21 without revealing your full name or home address to the requester. This represents a significant shift in how we share personal information.
In many locales, mDLs are in a development and pilot phase, so they might not be widely available where you live yet.
The cybersecurity benefits of mDL
Digital IDs have some clear security advantages over traditional cards.
Harder to forge: Cryptographic protections make counterfeiting more difficult compared to physical IDs.
Tamper detection: Apps show if an ID has been altered or copied.
Less data exposure: In some cases, you can be selective with the personal details you share.
Remote management: If your phone is lost or stolen, you can often revoke the digital ID – you can't do that with a physical card.
Risks to watch out for
Of course, any technology that stores sensitive data has risks, especially new ones.
Hacking and malware: If your phone is compromised, a bad actor could gain access to your digital ID, especially if you don't have multifactor authentication enabled.
Fake apps: Scammers may try to trick you into downloading a fraudulent ID app to steal your data – never download apps from emails, texts, or DMs.
Privacy issues: Without strong laws in place, businesses or governments can request more data than necessary, leading to misuse or tracking. As with any emerging technology, data privacy is always a factor to pay attention to.
Inconsistent standards: Because adoption varies by state and country, protections and rules aren’t always uniform. Some research on your end is likely required.
How to stay safe with a digital ID
If your state offers a digital driver’s license and you want to try it, keep these cybersecurity best practices in mind:
Only use official apps or wallets. Download from your state’s DMV website or trusted platforms like Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.
Keep your phone secure. Use a strong passcode and enable biometrics like fingerprint or facial recognition as multifactor authentication.
Update regularly. Make sure your phone’s operating system and apps are up to date to patch security vulnerabilities.
Know your rights. You might not always need to share your full digital ID – try to opt for selective disclosure whenever possible.
Stay skeptical. If someone asks you to send a screenshot of your digital ID, it’s likely a scam. Block and report them!
A new technology to identify yourself
Digital IDs and mobile driver’s licenses are on the horizon, bringing convenience, but also new cybersecurity considerations. They can offer stronger protections than a plastic card, but only if users and policymakers stay alert to the risks.
As adoption grows, keep practicing good phone security, stay informed, and think before you share any digital info. A digital ID might become your most important credential, and you should treat it that way. For more cybersecurity tips, join our free email newsletter!
