New York Gov. Kathy Hochul unveils ‘MiD’ state mobile ID
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles on Tuesday unveiled the New York Mobile ID, or MiD.
The new ID will be offered to any resident of the state who already has a state-issued driver’s license, learner’s permit or non-driver ID. As businesses begin to the invest in the technology that will accept the MiD, New Yorkers should continue to carry their physical driver’s license or an ID, officials said in an announcement.
The new mobile ID will be accepted at certain airports through the state’s partnership with the Transportation Security Administration, including all terminals at LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy airports.
Any public or private entity that needs to confirm an individual’s identify or age verification in exchange for goods or services can begin accepting the MiD. New York’s DMV will also work with businesses, organizations and state government partners to expand where the MiD can be used, the announcement said.
According to the city’s announcement, MiD was designed to be a contactless and secure method that allows more control over how personal information is shared. It resembles a social media profile more than a government ID, and users don’t have to hand over their phones to verify their identities. Instead, personal information is encrypted and only accessible when the user consents to sharing it.
Users also can control the data they wish to share. For example, residents using MiD to make an age-restricted purchase such as buying tobacco or alcohol can only provide their age, and keep private unnecessary information like name, height and address. The city claims the ID doesn’t store or share data about where it’s been used.
“We’re thrilled to give New Yorkers access to this cutting-edge technology which provides convenience and added security for Mobile ID users and those who accept it,” Hochul said in a news release. “Not only will New Yorkers be able to quickly display their IDs, but they will have control over the personal information they share.”
The MiD app can be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store.
