Identity papers in Cards paid by the taxpayer

The American channelCNBCmanaged to get their hands on the contracts signed between Apple and several American states with the aim of digitizing the identity cards provided to their citizens, and then storing them on an iPhone. We learn in particular that the document stipulates additional expenses to be borne by the institutions, which they would then pass on to taxation.

Apple notably requires that dedicated communicators be hired to communicate directly with its teams, while officials undertake to promote the new format via their various channels and at their own expense. Objective: work on the rate ofadoption” of a functionalityin which many citizens do not yet have sufficient confidence, according to a recent study.

Apple keeps control

The file obtained byCNBCcontains seven very explicit pages and, according to the media, depicts a “high degree of control over government agencies” from Apple. Particularly in Arizona and Georgia, which will be the first to offer identity cards in Cartes (formerly Wallet). The other signatory states are Iowa, Maryland, Utah and Connecticut.

For Jason Mikula, who was able to consult the agreements in question, this is a “commercial relationship” difficult to accept given that the transmitters have the “monopole” on the documents they provide to residents. For the consultant, the terms of the contract could have been negotiated in their best favor. It is impossible to know what will have weighed in the balance, but the ability of the billions of dollars in Apple's bank to deal with divided regions since at the federal level could be one of the reasons for the discord. We know in fact thatApple's spending on lobbying is quite high.

And in Europe?

For the moment, we do not know if Apple also plans to deploy its virtual identity documents on the Old Continent. What is certain, however, is thatParliament often has objections when Tim Cook's firm tackles subjects such as confidentialityand security, which is obviously in question here. It is therefore better not to expect rapid deployment, at least not for several years, until the initiative proves itself - or not - across the Atlantic.