Google Walletthe digital wallet developed by the Mountain View giant, is set to take the next step in the dematerialization of identity documents. After the integration of bankcards, travel tickets and loyalty cards, now it's the passport's turn to be featured in this mobile application.
Soon to be deployed in the United States, this innovation improves the management of official documents, but raises a number of technical and security issues.
Operation and technical specifications
Passport integration process
The passport is integrated into Google Wallet thanks to cutting-edge scanning technology. The physical passport will have to be scanned by the user using their smartphone camera. The name, date of birth, passport number and expiry date will then be extracted by an optical character recognition (OCR) algorithm. This information is then encrypted and stored securely in the application.
Securing biometric data
The holder's biometric information, such as his or her passport photo, will also be included in the digital passport. According to Google, this confidential data will be secured through full encryption, using the AES-256 algorithm, which is considered unbreakable with current technologies. In addition, to access this data, the user will need to be biometrically authenticated (through the use of a fingerprint or facial recognition), which will provide an extra layer of security.
Interoperability and international standards
Google Wallet will comply with the standards set by theInternational Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to ensure compatibility with border control systems. The digital passport will meet the technical requirements of ICAO standard 9303, which sets out the technical criteria for machine-readable travel documents (MRTD). The application of the digital passport at airports equipped with automated gates will theoretically be authorized thanks to this compliance.
Implications for travelers and authorities
The aim of incorporating passports into Google Wallet is to simplify border checks. Travelers will be able to present their digital passport at checkpoint kiosks equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication) readers. The identity verification process will be accelerated thanks to the ability of these kiosks to read passport information and compare it with the traveler's biometric data.
Although the system has not yet been rolled out in France, it is important to note that the digital version of the passport will not replace the physical document, according to the official website. france-identite.gouv.fr
Authorities recommend that travelers keep their traditional passport, as not all countries will immediately accept this dematerialized version. Moreover, legal questions remain as to the legal validity of a digital passport in certain situations.
| Features | Google Wallet | Apple Wallet | France Identité |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport holder | Under development | Not available | Not available |
| Data encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 | Proprietary algorithm |
| Authentication | Biometric | Biometric | PIN + Biometric |
| NFC compatibility | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Government approval | In progress | Partial | Total |
Technical challenges and future prospects
Update and revocation
Another crucial technical aspect concerns the updating and revocation of digital passports. Google will have to develop a system for synchronize changes to the physical passport in real time (for example, a change of address) with the digital version. Similarly, in the event of loss or theft of the smartphone, a rapid revocation mechanism will have to be put in place to immediately invalidate the digital passport.
Integration with other services
By integrating the passport with Google Wallet, new integrations with other digital services will be possible. One possibility, for example, would be to simplify hotel bookings abroad, where passport data could be transmitted securely directly from the app. It would also be possible to simplify online administrative procedures that require solid identity verification. Before adding visas to Google Wallet?
English 
Français 
Deutsch 
Italiano 
Español