Google Wallet Expands Digital IDs with Privacy-Focused Age Verification

Google has announced significant expansions to its Google Wallet digital ID features, aiming to enhance user convenience and privacy across more states and countries.

Residents in Arkansas, Montana, Puerto Rico, and West Virginia will soon be able to save U.S. government-issued digital IDs in Google Wallet. Additionally, users in Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, and New Mexico can use mobile IDs at the DMV, facilitating streamlined government interactions.

Ahead of the REAL ID enforcement deadline in May 2025, Google Wallet users can create an ID Pass from their U.S. passport to pass TSA security at supported airports for domestic travel, even without a REAL ID driver’s license or state ID. However, this digital pass does not replace the need for a physical ID.

Google Wallet’s digital IDs will also enable users to recover Amazon accounts, access health services like CVS and MyChart by Epic, and verify profiles on platforms such as Uber, expanding the practical applications of digital identity.

Internationally, Google is rolling out the ability for U.K. residents to create digital ID passes using their U.K. passports, securely stored in Google Wallet, signaling a global push for digital identity adoption.

To address privacy concerns in identity verification, Google is integrating zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) technology into Google Wallet. This allows users to verify their age and identity without exposing unnecessary personal information, enhancing security across mobile devices, apps, and websites.

Google plans to extend ZKP usage to other products and partner with apps like Bumble, which will use Google Wallet digital IDs for identity verification and ZKP for age checks. Furthermore, Google will open source its ZKP technology to encourage adoption by other wallets and online services.

Broader Significance and Opportunities

The expansion of digital IDs in Google Wallet reflects a growing trend toward digital identity solutions that prioritize user privacy and convenience. As governments and private sectors increasingly require secure verification, technologies like ZKP offer a pathway to reduce fraud and data exposure.

For developers and businesses, integrating with Google Wallet’s digital ID and ZKP capabilities presents opportunities to streamline user onboarding, enhance security compliance, and improve customer trust without compromising privacy.

As digital identity ecosystems mature, leveraging open-source ZKP technology can foster innovation across industries such as travel, healthcare, e-commerce, and social platforms, enabling seamless and secure user experiences.