The new Apple Digital Identification service that is stored in the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone may actually be costing users money.
So far eight states have the ability to allow residents to store state identification in the Apple wallet, in addition to their drivers licences.
However, it has recently been surfaced that the cost of the maintenance of the feature actually comes from the taxpayer’s wallet.
Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah are the states to have so far been enrolled in the service.
CNBC uncovered the findings regarding some of the states having to finance the arrangement through public-record requests.
Further information was also revealed including: States must advertise it to authorities checking ID, digital ID’s must be offered to all persons applying for a new or renewal of licence, States must market the feature (With Apple approval), and finally States must foot the entire maintenance cost for the computer systems required by apple to access the information.
This all means that not only must the states taxpayers bear the cost of maintenance, but they will also be paying to promote the feature to all public, even those without Apple devices.
Amazingly States have also agreed to terms in the contract making it very difficult to break, only in the circumstance that Apple’s consent or for cause – if Apple breaches the terms of the agreement and doesn’t remedy within 30 days.
Apple has been very positive regarding the new ID feature, and there may well be some positives, however should all taxpayers be paying for this service?
