(Imagen 3)
Normally when states adopt a new technology, one state will first adopt it, followed by other states, until eventually all states adopt it. (Take REAL ID.)
It’s rare that a state adopts an emerging technology and then trashes it.
Last year
But that’s exactly what happened in Florida last summer, when the state withdrew support for its Thales mobile driver’s license (mDL) pending the creation of a new mDL from a new vendor.
Update as of June 2025…there isn’t one.
“The Florida Smart ID applications will be updated and improved by a new vendor. At this time, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is removing the current Florida Smart ID application from the app store. Please email FloridaSmartID@flhsmv.gov to receive notification of future availability.”
This year
But hey, I’m sure Florida is working behind the scenes to develop a new mDL. After all, digital identity remains a federal priority.
“At the forefront of the Trump administration’s cybersecurity shift is the categorical removal of Biden-era digital identity initiatives which had encouraged federal agencies to accept digital identity documents to access public benefit programs and promoted federal grants to help states develop secure mobile driver’s licenses.”
Biometric Update is specifically referring to President Donald Trump’s Executive Order issued last Friday, which affects cybersecurity efforts in general. Lots of use of the Q word.
Next year?
But if states aren’t receiving federal funding to develop mDLs, and if states decide that only physical driver’s licenses are in their interest, then will mDL adoption slow?
Or may other states follow Florida’s lead and let their contracts with mDL vendors expire?
SWOT analysis advocates…this is a threat.
Oh, and by the way…don’t forget that moving from mDLs back to physical driver’s licenses leads to a certain loss of privacy…
Bredemarket 