In addition to pushing back hard against the use of facial recognition and biometrics for any type of access, service, or identification, I also recommend against using Digital IDs stored on phones, such as digital driver’s licenses that states are beginning to roll out across the country and world. These are another pathway for surveillance. Opt out of this whenever possible.
By allowing our devices to serve as a central container for payment methods, building entry, car fobs, transportation passes, photos, and an alarming and increasing amount of our entire digital selves, our information is being centralized into a single source. Through contactless transactions, we are also giving up a wealth of information that we simply do not need to surrender.
In addition, having Digital IDs on a device means police and authorities have a reason to ask for anyone to hand over their device during something like a “routine stop.” We never want to give over our phones to a cop if at all possible. Our devices are always transmitting data that can be swiped by determined and malicious agents.
There is so much information about us and other people around us on our devices. Surrendering our phone for anyone to view a digital ID can open the door to this other data on your device.
Your privacy and security are infinitely more valuable than your convenience. In an ideal world, those two, security and convenience, would not be at odds with each other. Empire exploits ableism and racism to further force people into relinquishing control, privacy, and data. In the world of capitalist colonialism, one is used as bait to gain access to the other.
Always question the state when they use the words “convenience,” “frictionless,” or “speed,” as those features are always ultimately for them, not for you.
Avoid consolidating your IDs into a single device for as long as possible. Consider what you can carry in analog form instead of digital. There’s nothing wrong with carrying our physical ID, as we have done for decades.
Stay private and secure out there.
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