More than 100,000 New Yorkers have completed the enrollment process for the brand-new New York Mobile ID (MiD). With this latest milestone, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul touted the success of the program, which launched this June.
The program gives residents access to a highly secure digital version of a state-issued driver’s license, learner permit, or ID on a smartphone.
“We are excited that so many New Yorkers have downloaded the Mobile ID app,” Governor Hochul said. “This tool is a key step in making travel smoother and getting travelers to their destination quickly and safely.”
The governor’s office explained that the MiD is a voluntary product designed for the convenience and security of New Yorkers and is available on both iOS and Android devices. Anyone with a valid, New York state-issued driver’s license, learner permit, or non-driver ID can download the secure Mobile ID app through Google Play or the App Store.
Through a partnership with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the MiD is accepted at TSA security checkpoints at nearly 30 participating airports across the country including all terminals at LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy airports.
The governor’s office also noted that the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is actively working with other public and private entities to expand the number of places where the New York Mobile ID is accepted. Since the launch, the DMV has been working with businesses across New York, including auto dealers, bars and restaurants, and financial institutions to help them learn how to accept Mobile ID as identity proof.
“We knew that New Yorkers would get on board quickly with Mobile ID, and we are thrilled at just how much it is being embraced since it was made available,” New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said. “This goes to show how many people are looking to make their air travel simpler, and how many people are anticipating the additional use cases that we hope to see roll out as soon as possible.”
In terms of data security and privacy, the governor’s office said the New York Mobile ID was designed to ensure user privacy and developed in compliance with the most stringent international standards for personal identification. These include those published by the International Organization for Standardization, as well as the Mobile Driver’s License Implementation Guidelines created by the American Academy of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
The MiD app can only be unlocked through Face ID, TouchID, or a secure six-digit PIN. Additionally, personal information found on the MiD is encrypted and only accessible when the Mobile ID holder consents to sharing it. Information is transmitted to a verifier through a secure, digital connection so the user never has to hand over their phone, and information about usage including where, when, and what personal information the user has shared is encrypted and stored only on their personal device. Data on when and where someone uses their MiD is not tracked, stored, or transmitted.
