Following the release of an ITIF report outlining a path to implementing a system of digital IDs in the United States, NextGov reports that Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) has said he’s hoping to get his Improving Digital Identity Act included in the House AI Task Force’s list of recommended policy proposals. 

Lawmakers Want Government to Promote Use of Digital IDs

The government should spur the supply of e-IDs by directing a federal agency to offer them to U.S. residents for a reasonable fee.

To Do: Offer Electronic IDs to People Who Want Them

Congress should establish a bipartisan U.S. Digital Single Market Commission to draft legislation to foster a single digital market in the United States.

To Do: Foster a Digital Single Market in the United States

Congress should require all government agencies to implement contactless biometrics wherever feasible to reduce the potential spread of infections during a pandemic.

To Do: Make Agencies Use Contactless Biometrics

It’s Past Time for the Federal Government to Offer Electronic IDs

It's Past Time for the Federal Government to Offer Electronic IDs

Congress should establish an e-government modernization fund for federal, state, and local agencies to upgrade their IT systems.

To Do: Establish an E-government Modernization Fund

Congress should accelerate the adoption of mobile payment technology by standardizing banking regulations, encouraging new services through fintech regulatory sandboxes, and facilitating mobile payment options for such government services as transit. 

To Do: Accelerate Adoption of Mobile Payments

Digitizing identity in a secure manner is part of an overall evolution in digital government where residents can access services and interact with government more efficiently. Whether this is applying for public benefits through your smartphone—and no longer needing to enter your social security number—or if you’re pulled over for speeding on the interstate and forgot to grab your wallet when you left home.

Government Adoption of Digital Identification Cards Is Still Too Slow

To ensure the federal government does not waste tax dollars on ineffective or biased systems, Congress should direct GSA to work with NIST to set performance standards for facial recognition technology procured by the federal government.

To Do: Promote Digital IDs

Recommendation

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Editors’ Recommendations

The Path to Digital Identity in the United States

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Lawmakers Want Government to Promote Use of Digital IDs

To Do: Offer Electronic IDs to People Who Want Them

To Do: Foster a Digital Single Market in the United States