Source NM reports that earlier this year, the New Mexico legislature passed Senate Bill 88, allowing New Mexico to join a handful of other states in developing digital identification for smartphones. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the legislation on February 28, 2024.
Arizona and Georgia first launched digital ID efforts in 2021, and Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland and Ohio have subsequently done so. California is still piloting its program.
New Mexico now allows residents to carry and use virtual driver’s licenses, but you’ll need to have your physical license with you, as it may be many months (or longer) before certain government agencies, airports and businesses (e.g., those selling age-restricted items such as alcohol, cannabis and tobacco) have acquired the necessary training and the state-created verification app called ‘NM Verifier’ to read the digital IDs.
***At this time, the digital IDs are not accepted as a valid form of identification by law enforcement agencies in New Mexico.
The Source NM article may be read in full HERE.
The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division has established a webpage to answer questions regarding the new digital identification option. The site, which may be viewed HERE, introduces New Mexico digital IDs and has a rather exhaustive ‘frequently asked questions’ section. There is a ‘New Mexico Mobile ID app’ managed through Google Wallet, specifically for use with android cellphones, with no mention regarding an app for Apple iPhones.
Certain digital IDs containing sensitive information, such as a driver’s license, will be managed by Google Wallet as a “private pass.” Google Wallet’s help section explains private passes and provides specifics as to entering or deleting private passes. The Google Wallet help page may be read HERE.
My brothers and sisters, the concept of digital IDs may seem appealing to many, but if you have read the foregoing, then it’s clear that what New Mexico is doing is to continue to issue physical ID cards and subsequently approve a scanned copy of such ID card to aid in personal identification. New Mexico is not issuing a stand alone form of digital identification created by, managed and regulated solely by the State of New Mexico.
Frankly, to this writer it seems a bit distasteful, redundant and awkward to have my private information uploaded to Google for use by the State of New Mexico. It seems to me that Google already knows way too much about U.S. citizens as it is! It also seems somewhat pointless to carry around a form of digital identification that is not allowed anywhere, especially if any entity, government or otherwise, may demand a physical ID regardless. With airports inconsistently accepting (if accepting at all) digital ID, it just seems like this may be premature or suffering from a lack of front-loaded and related infrastructure to make the launch of digital identification in New Mexico successful or cost effective.
All that said, we live in the age of the internet and digital living, so it seems that digital identification is coming whether we like it or not! Let’s pray for wisdom for our state officials here in New Mexico, as digital IDs are being rolled out and they will eventually become central to our daily lives. The security risks due to hacking or forgery of digital IDs may be even greater than with physical IDs (or more widespread when a breach occurs) – only time will tell.
1 Timothy 2:1-3 (ESV)
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior…”.
James 1:5 (NKJV)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”