As the experience of Estonia shows, a digital ID can be very useful and effective, but does take some work (they had a big revocation effort to manage, which they were able to do so because their country is so small).
Bigger countries such a Germany have basically punted on this issue.
I'm a big fan and disappointed that California isn't in the vanguard.
The US still doesn't have wide-spread use of chip & pin on credit cards. Innovation & adoption of digital identity in this country is unlikely to be rapid.
> The US still doesn't have wide-spread use of chip & pin on credit cards
That's not really the case anymore. The new struggle is contactless. I can count on my hands how many times I've had my current debit card swiped (which is good since its stripe is looking like shit by now).
Gas stations are finally implementing chip transactions (the deadline is Oct 2021 iirc), which fortunately generally includes a contactless reader.
But alas, we'll likely see the same problems with digital ID that we have with REAL ID.
It's so funny to me that HN is so skeptical of technology sometimes. Why build the internet when you get all the information you need at the local library? Why have cars when my horse provides companionship and transportation at the same time?
To answer the question though, since Apple Pay now works almost everywhere, my ID is one of the only cards I still need to carry. If I had a digital ID, I don't think I'd need to carry a wallet anymore.
I don't think of HN as a "technology fan site" but people who have to deal with this stuff every day. Some caution, especially based on experience, is warranted.
> To answer the question though, since Apple Pay now works almost everywhere, my ID is one of the only cards I still need to carry. If I had a digital ID, I don't think I'd need to carry a wallet anymore.
Where do you live? I currently live in California so only carry ID when driving or (more recently) when planning to enter certain buildings, like federal buildings or airports. Otherwise I don't bother and it hasn't been a problem for me.
Sometimes people do ask for ID (or an SSN) but when I politely say "I'm sorry I don't have one" they typically want to do business with me so magically don't need any info.
I'm clearly over drinking age and don't need controlled prescriptions.
As someone who has been building software for 20+ years now, I know how it fails and how it can make people's lives miserable. I know how developers cut corners and how quality always takes a back seat to other business concerns. I know how technology can erode privacy, or be used as a tool for governments to exact more control on their citizens.
I'm probably more skeptical of technology in everyday life than your average non-technical person.
> Apple Pay now works almost everywhere
I live in a city, and Apple/Google Pay definitely does not work anywhere near everywhere (even after more businesses went contactless due to COVID). I wouldn't think of leaving home without physical credit cards.
(I was at a bar this weekend. Ironically I could not pay my tab with my phone, but their photobooth took Apple & Google Pay.)
> I live in a city, and Apple/Google Pay definitely does not work anywhere near everywhere (even after more businesses went contactless due to COVID). I wouldn't think of leaving home without physical credit cards.
This isn't the case in some parts of the world.
In Australia, even before COVID, I could make 2-3 day interstate business trips with flight tickets, credit cards, public transport all my phone.
I rarely carry cash or even my physical credit cards, and haven't needed to for years now.
Yes, and also enabling not-physical validation (e.g. you could open a bank account or w/e similarly strict thing online, with your identity being verified automatically). It's convenient and saves time.
As the experience of Estonia shows, a digital ID can be very useful and effective, but does take some work (they had a big revocation effort to manage, which they were able to do so because their country is so small).
Bigger countries such a Germany have basically punted on this issue.
I'm a big fan and disappointed that California isn't in the vanguard.