Travelers showing their passport at TSA checkpoints in airports may soon be able to pull it up on Google Wallet.
The tech giant announced a variety of new Google Wallet updates aimed at travelers and commuters.
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Google is beta testing the ability to create a digital ID from a U.S. passport. Once it’s uploaded to a wallet, the U.S. passport could be used at select TSA checkpoints by those traveling within the U.S.
Google expects that being able to store passports digitally in your wallet will save “time and stress at the airport when traveling domestically.”
When the new features become available to the public, users will be able to create their digital ID by selecting the “create an ID pass with your U.S. passport” function in the Google Wallet app.
After that, users will be required to scan the security chip located on the back of passports. The process also involves taking a selfie that will be used to verify identity.
Google says digital IDs are safe when they are stored in a wallet. “ID passes are stored encrypted, meaning you must authenticate using your fingerprint, PIN or passcode before the ID pass is viewable or shareable,” Google said in a statement. “You’re in control of the information shared: before using your digital ID for identity verification, you can review what information is being requested.”
It’s important to know that having a digital ID in Google Wallet does not replace your physical passport. Therefore, you will need to carry the actual copy with you when traveling.
Last year, Google introduced the ability to save select state-issues digital IDs to wallet. Now, Google is in talks with partners to make digital IDs acceptable for a variety of additional travel uses, including when renting a car.
When it comes to the future, the Google Wallet will automatically import transit tickets from Gmail booking confirmations. Users will be able to view live train status updates from the ticket in the Google app.
Another feature that’s in the works would provide users with notifications if there’s a change to an assigned seat associated with a boarding pass.