TheFreeThoughtProject – Biden’s Executive Order was first reported on by NOTUS after the organization obtained a draft version. The draft viewed by NOTUS calls for federal and state governments to accelerate the adoption of so-called mobile driver’s licenses.
“It is the policy of the executive branch to strongly encourage the use of digital identity documents,” the draft states.
Mobile driver’s licenses (mDL), or simply digital driver’s licenses are another form of digital identity rolling out across North America in 3 common forms.
This includes proprietary apps owned by a local, state, or national government; various state-approved apps like SmartID; and the Apple Wallet, which 4 U.S. states are currently using to host their digital driver’s license.
According to a guide to digital driver’s licenses, users will open the chosen app, scan the front and back of their physical driver’s license, and then verify their identity with a selfie (or similar biometric data).
Once verified, the user can began using their digital ID app as they would a physical ID card.
According to NOTUS, the draft order is aimed at addressing the loss of billions of taxpayer dollars relating to fraudulent claims to benefit programs using forged identification documents.
The order would mandate federal agencies to adopt a “single government-run identity system, Login.gov, as a gateway to federal websites”.
The same system would be offered to state and local governments as well.
If adopted this system would fundamentally change how Americans prove their identity online, file their taxes, and access certain websites and services.
NOTUS said they spoke with four people who have seen the draft EO and noted that the text is finalized but “the Biden administration was debating when to roll it out”. Another person told NOTUS the text was obtained from a federal agency, and another person who had seen the draft said it “matched a summary that had circulated among stakeholders within recent months”.
A White House spokesperson told NOTUS that, “Nothing is final until it’s signed by the president.”
The Biden Administration has been working on some version of this Executive Order since at least 2022, when Biden promised executive action during his State of the Union address.
As recently as March, NextGov reported that Biden was still working on the order.
