New Apple ID can be used at the airport - people have concerns

Earlier this week (12 November), Apple announced the launch of Digital ID and its unsurprisingly sparked quite the heated debate online.

The tech company explained in an official press release that the new Digital ID is a 'new way for users to create an ID in Apple Wallet using information from their US passport, and present it with the security and privacy of iPhone or Apple Watch'.

Digital ID acceptance will reportedly roll out first in beta at TSA checkpoints at more than 250 airports in the States for in-person identity verification during domestic travel, with additional Digital ID acceptance use cases to come in the future.

Apple launched the new Digital ID earlier this week (Apple)

According to Apple, Digital ID 'gives more people a way to create and present an ID in Apple Wallet even if they do not have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID'.

The company added that the highly controversial new Digital ID is not a replacement for a physical passport, and cannot be used for international travel and border crossing in lieu of a US passport.

"With the launch of Digital ID, we’re excited to expand the ways users can store and present their identity - all with the security and privacy built into iPhone and Apple Watch," said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.

"Since introducing the ability to add a driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet in 2022, we’ve seen how much users love having their ID right on their devices. Digital IDs brings this secure and convenient option to even more users across the country, as they can now add an ID to Wallet using information from their U.S. passport."

The Digital ID will be rolled out at TSA checkpoints at more than 250 airports in the United States (Apple)

People have since rushed to social media to share their thoughts on the announcement with many pointing out concerns over whether losing your phone or your phone getting stolen possibly being a risk of 'identity theft'.

One X user penned: "Oh honey, at my age I'm all for skipping those endless TSA lines, my knees thank you already! But if my iPhone goes missing with my passport on it? Lordy, that's a nightmare."

"So now when I lose my phone, I also lose my entire existence cool cool cool," quipped a second.

A third chimed in: "This gonna make forgetting your charger feel like identity theft."

"You guys better keep your iPhones safe, or you're gonna lose everything," warned a fourth, while another echoed: "Apple Wallet holding my whole life now fr."

And a final X user theorised: "Now your info can vacation on the dark web faster than you can say 'Face ID'.

"Apple says it's secure - just like every other 'secure' thing in a hacker's folder. Welcome to the future - where life is digitally encrypted, conveniently accessible, & potentially downloadable."

Tyla has reached out to Apple for comment.