As advances in facial-recognition technology increasingly enter the airport and international borders space, multiple countries are changing how they process documents of both returning citizens and international arrivals.

 In 2024, Singapore completed the rollout of end-to-end biometrics that connect travelers through Changi Airport with their boarding pass and passport for clearing customs without an agent while the United Kingdom is also in the process of expanding its eGates system for British and European Union passport holders.

While the United States has been slower in expanding facial recognition technology to international travelers, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has earlier this year introduced touchless facial recognition to travelers with Clear and PreCheck at select airports.

What is the Digital ID and where can you already use it?

As part of the next step in moving toward greater use of facial recognition technology, the TSA has now also started accepting the digital wallets that both Apple and Google launched in the last year at over 250 airports across the country.

Earlier in November, Apple rolled out a Digital ID in which one can upload their driver’s license, state identity document or U.S. passport. While not eligible for international travel in which one would need to present a physical passport, the digital version can be presented at security screenings during domestic flights at airports that are equipped with the technology to process it.

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A full list of participating states and airports can also be found on the TSA website: airports in states like Illinois, Hawaii and New Mexico accept both the Apple and Google digital wallets while New York, Virginia and Utah currently only allow the version of the digital identity profile issued by the state.

Travelers present identity documents prior to passing through security screening at the airport.

Image source: Shutterstock

“All passengers must still carry an acceptable compliant physical ID for verification”

While they will not be required to present it every time, travelers who opt to show the digital version of their identity document are still required to have the physical copy on hand in case they are asked for verification or a specific machine is not able to process it as the = is rolled out over the coming months and years.

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“You can now use your Digital ID at more than 250 airports to verify your identity at TSA checkpoints through platforms such as Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet or a state-issued app,” TSA writes on its website. “TSA sees only the necessary information to verify your identity, providing a faster, more secure travel experience while reducing the risk of fraudulent documents. However, all passengers must still carry an acceptable compliant physical ID for verification.”

While significantly speeding up the security screening process for many travelers, the increasing digitilization of one’s identity documents has also been subject to criticism around privacy and potential for fraud.

“We can’t change our biometrics without extreme measures like burning off our fingerprints or getting extreme facial reconstruction surgery,” Adam Schwartz, the primary privacy litigation director for the Electronic Frontier Foundation advocating for customers’ digital privacy rights, told the Washington Post in 2023. “Unlike other numbers that can be changed if we’re a victim of a fraud or whatnot, we have our biometrics for life.”

These states accept TSA digital passport

Remember, it’s important to check the specific airport. These are the digital passports that each state accepts.

  • Arkansas: Arkansas Mobile ID, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet
  • Arizona: Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet
  • California: California DMV Wallet App, Apple Wallet, Google Wallet
  • Colorado: Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet
  • Georgia: Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet
  • Hawaii: Apple Wallet
  • Illinois: Apple Wallet
  • Iowa: Iowa Mobile ID app, Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet
  • Louisiana: LA Wallet
  • Maryland: Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet
  • Montana: Apple Wallet, Google Wallet
  • New Mexico: Apple Wallet, Google Wallet
  • New York: NY MiD app
  • North Dakota: Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet
  • Ohio: Apple Wallet
  • Puerto Rico: PR Móvil, Apple Wallet, Google Wallet
  • Utah: GET Mobile App
  • Virginia: VA MiD app
  • West Virginia: WV MiD app, Apple Wallet, Samsung Wallet
    Source: TSA

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