Advocates Say Authorities Must Inform the Public that Digital IDs (if adopted) Will Be Voluntary and Optional [Unless you can't do anything without it]

From [HERE] Children’s Health Defense (CHD) is urging U.S. regulatory authorities to publish a webpage that clearly states that digital ID systems, if adopted, will be voluntary and optional for U.S. citizens.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which operates under the U.S. Department of Commerce, is preparing to launch a “Frequently Asked Questions” webpage about its new rules.

In a letter sent Thursday to Ryan Galluzzo, NIST’s digital ID program leader,

Miriam Eckenfels, director of CHD’s Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) & Wireless Program, wrote:

“CHD requests that NIST publish a formal FAQ to confirm your department is committed to emphasizing the voluntary nature of digital ID, meaning that nothing in the new NIST guidance should be construed to require biometric identification.”

Eckenfels provided sample language NIST could use for the FAQ.

NIST, which is responsible for establishing “technical requirements for federal agencies implementing digital identity services,” recently published its updated digital ID guidelines.

While the new guidelines don’t state that digital IDs would be mandatory, the document doesn’t include a special section explaining that digital IDs must remain optional.

“Children and traditionally identified persons (meaning people who decline a digital ID) would be adversely affected by NIST’s new guidance if the guidance is misinterpreted to require digital identification such as biometric identifiers,” Eckenfels said.

NIST “is clearly moving toward digital wallets and biometric keys that will make it harder for Americans to access their online accounts (email, bank, everything online) unless Americans provide biometric identifiers (face scan, thumb print),” said Greg Glaser, a digital privacy expert and attorney.

On Aug. 19, Montana became the 10th state to accept digital IDs via Apple Wallet, according to PC Mag. The app enables iPhone users to store a digital driver’s license or state ID on their phone. Montana also adopted Google Wallet, available on Android phones.

Nine other states — Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexicoand Ohio — have adopted Apple’s digital ID app, according to PC Mag. Seven more states are preparing to adopt the app, MacRumours said.

Eight states, including Montana, have adopted Google Wallet as of Aug. 20, according to ZDNet.

Twila Brase, a registered nurse, expressed support for CHD’s letter. “NIST must make it clear by putting it in writing that digital IDs are voluntary, can never be mandated, and those who have them can revert to a hardcopy license,” she said.

Brase is co-founder and president of Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom, a health privacy nonprofit that has been challenging Real ID. She said:

“As we’ve seen with our work to oppose the REAL ID system, government agencies rarely disclose that individuals are not required to have a REAL ID. As a result, most people with REAL ID and digital IDs are clueless about their rights, government biometric databases, federal control over their ID, or how digital IDs enable government tracking in full violation of the [U.S. Constitution’s] 4th Amendment.

“If Americans knew the truth about the federal REAL ID and digital IDs, we’d see much higher refusal rates. But without proper warning or full disclosure by state DMVs, Americans accept the unacceptable.”

‘Digital identity schemes must be voluntary for members of the public’