JP Morgan VP Maps mDL Growth Around Digital Trust Service

A senior JP Morgan Chase executive is highlighting the growing importance of mobile driver’s licenses. In a new post on his blog “Demystify Biometrics”, Ashok Singal notes that mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) are reshaping identity verification by offering convenience, security, and privacy.

Singal highlights that the true potential of mDLs is realized when they operate seamlessly across borders, allowing travelers to use their digital IDs abroad as easily as at home. He notes that the implementation of the Digital Trust Service (DTS) is key to achieving this interoperability, as it functions as a compatibility layer for mDLs compliant with the ISO 18013-5 standard, enabling secure, real-time verification between countries.

In an example, he shows how DTS facilitates scenarios like Jane’s journey from the U.S. to Australia. When renting a car, checking into a hotel, or buying concert tickets, Jane’s mDL is verified through a secure process powered by DTS. Each transaction involves scanning a QR code, in which the mDL app transmits digitally signed data—like name, age, and driving eligibility—verified against a global public key directory managed by DTS. This ensures the mDL’s authenticity without requiring Jane’s physical ID.

A key feature of DTS is selective disclosure, allowing Jane to share only necessary information, such as age, without revealing personal details like her address. This minimizes data exposure and enhances privacy. Real-time updates also ensure that any changes in Jane’s credentials are immediately reflected.

The post emphasizes that DTS supports secure and convenient cross-border use of mDLs by integrating cryptographic security, global public key infrastructure, and selective disclosure.

Singal concludes that as more countries adopt mDLs and align with DTS, the vision of a digital ID that works globally will become a reality, eliminating the need for physical documents while maintaining high levels of privacy and security.

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October 1, 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis