Two US lawmakers are publicly advocating for a digital identity framework that leverages mobile devices and built-in biometric security as a way to combat fraud and financial scams. Representatives Bill Foster of Illinois and Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania made the case during a policy discussion hosted by the Bank Policy Institute and The Hill in mid-December.
The lawmakers’ comments focused on the limitations of knowledge-based identity checks, such as passwords and personal data questions, which they argue are easily compromised at scale. Foster, who has a background in physics and technology, described digital identity as a stronger first line of defense, particularly when credentials are cryptographically bound to trusted hardware and unlocked using device biometrics.
The framework outlined in the discussion centers on digital credentials derived from government-issued identification, such as passports or REAL ID-compliant documents, stored securely on smartphones. Access to those credentials would require biometric authentication using technologies such as Face ID or fingerprint recognition, combined with the security features of modern mobile devices, including secure enclaves and tamper-resistant hardware.
Foster emphasized the importance of attribution, arguing that fraud prevention depends on the ability to tie a transaction to a legally traceable individual. In this model, the use of a device-bound digital ID would make fraudulent activity harder to anonymize, since each transaction would be linked to a specific device and biometric authentication event rather than a reusable password or stolen data set.
The discussion also referenced the scale of fraud seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, when US government relief programs suffered extensive losses due to weak online identity verification. Foster contrasted that experience with countries that have established digital identity frameworks, where large-scale benefits fraud was significantly more difficult to execute.
While the lawmakers did not propose a specific legislative package, the conversation signals bipartisan interest in advancing digital identity infrastructure without introducing a standalone national ID card. Instead, the emphasis is on building on existing consumer technology ecosystems. Apple’s digital ID initiative, which allows users to present government-issued credentials from Apple Wallet using Face ID or Touch ID, was cited as an example of how private-sector platforms are already laying the groundwork.
Sources: Bank Policy Institute, Payments Dive, Apple Newsroom, TSA, YouTube
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By Ali Nassar-Smith
