Apple’s New ‘Digital ID’ Is Here — and It’s the First Step Toward a Social Credit System

Apple has launched Digital ID, enabling iPhone and Apple Watch users to store a digital copy of their U.S. passport in Apple Wallet for presentation at TSA checkpoints.

The feature allows travelers to bypass physical passports for domestic flights by scanning the passport’s photo page and embedded chip, followed by a selfie and facial movements for verification.

Users present the ID by holding their device near a reader and authenticating with Face ID or Touch ID, seeing exactly what data is requested before sharing.

Apple insists privacy remains intact.

"Apple cannot see when and where users present their ID, or what data was presented,” the company stated in its Newsroom release.

Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, added, "With the launch of Digital ID, we’re excited to expand the ways users can store and present their identity — all with the security and privacy built into iPhone and Apple Watch."

The rollout, now live in beta across more than 250 U.S. airports, marks a rapid acceleration toward a digital surveillance state where every movement can be tracked, verified, and controlled through a single device, normalizing government-backed biometric tracking in everyday transactions.

Beyond airports, Apple plans to extend the feature to businesses for age verification — at bars, event venues, or online alcohol deliveries — sharing only that a user is over 21 without name, address, or birthdate.

The TSA still advises carrying physical IDs, as not all checkpoint readers support the beta system.

This is no mere convenience; it’s the foundation for total control. Digital ID paves the way for a social credit score system where access to travel, services, and society hinges on algorithmic approval, turning your phone into a leash held by faceless authorities.