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Apple's Digital ID sparks privacy concerns

Date:
Fri, 14 Nov 2025 16:50:07 +0000

Description:
Apple launches a new Digital ID tool, but the feature doesn't convince 
privacy purists.

FULL STORY

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 its
'normalized,' its irreversible. Then its '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. 

======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/apples-digital-id-sparks-pr
ivacy-concerns

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