A patent application from Apple published by the US Patent and Trademark Office shows how the iPhone could replace a passport.
The iGroup seems to want to send the traditional wallet into retirement.
The iPhone can already be used to pay thanks to Apple Pay From iOS 12 onwards, it can also replace student ID cards at universities. Everything is stored in the so-called Secure Element, a certified special chip that, among other things, enables contactless payment.
“Document import into secure element”
An import function would make it possible to read the data from an e-ID and store it securely in the Secure Element Before the data can be backed up, the authority would have to approve the process. This step would be possible through a certificate signing request.
After completing the setup, the iPhone would serve as an ID card. In addition, the data would be authenticated with a PIN code or Touch ID / Face ID secured. After unlocking the content, the user could identify himself. This would be the “electronic ID“ additionally protected against unauthorized access by third parties.
The basic requirements for such use are already in place in many countries. Not only the iPhone has such technology, but some airports do too.
