June 24, 2024 at 03:51PM
Google is testing “Digital Credential API” for Chrome on Android, enabling websites to securely request identity documents, like driver’s licenses and passports, from mobile wallets. This feature integrates with Android’s IdentityCredential system, allowing users to securely share necessary information with requesting sites. It aims to address the growing need for digital identification documents.
Based on the meeting notes, it seems that Google is working on a new feature called “Digital Credential API” for Chrome on Android. This API aims to allow websites to securely request and verify identity information, such as driver’s licenses and passports, directly from users’ mobile wallets. The integration in Chrome uses Android’s IdentityCredential system to support various types of credentials and data. The new feature is designed to address the increasing need for digital counterparts to paper-based government-recognized documents, especially with the movement of government and financial services online. It emphasizes user control and protection of data, allowing users to approve or deny requests for identity information from their mobile wallets. The feature is being designed to support multiple credential formats and to mitigate the risk of ecosystem-scale abuse of real-world identity. Although the availability date is unclear, Google is actively working on experimenting with this idea and will share more details soon.