Google Wallet has evolved into a comprehensive digital locker, accommodating not just debit and credit cards, but also a wide array of digital items including boarding passes, IDs, loyalty cards, and more. A significant development in this expansion is the addition of digital ID capabilities, supported by various local and federal governments, enabling users to store their state identification securely within the Wallet app.
This shift towards a fully digital life is aided by Android’s native support for digital credentials. While users might not notice immediate changes in how they interact with their wallets, Google has updated the Credential Manager’s DigitalCredential API.
This update now supports OpenID4VP for digital credential presentation and OpenID4VCI for credential issuance. It’s crucial to understand that digital credentials differ from mere images of physical documents.
These verifiable documents come with cryptographic signatures, making them valid forms of identification across multiple platforms. Apps can utilize these digital credentials seamlessly, whether it’s for boarding passes or digital insurance cards.
Google refers to these applications as “credential holders,” with Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet leading the way in popularization. The introduction of these updates enhances interoperability, allowing credential-holder apps to communicate effectively with other applications and websites.
This secure interaction is backed by the Client to Authenticator Protocol (CTAP). One of the notable benefits of this system is the streamlined process.
Users can access their digital credentials without having to navigate through their wallet first. Furthermore, this system accommodates multiple credentials across various wallets.
While this initiative is still developing, collaborations with Samsung Wallet and 1Password signal a promising future for comprehensive digital credential solutions.
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