US Lawmaker Calls for Federal Agency to Regulate Digital IDs for Security

Representative Bill Foster of Illinois advocated for a federal agency to regulate and verify the security of software and hardware supporting digital identifications like mobile driver’s licenses. He emphasized the increasing risk posed by deepfakes and AI-generated content to identity integrity online, suggesting that secure digital IDs can help combat identity theft and fraud. Although some states have begun issuing digital IDs, Foster’s proposed Digital Identity Improvement Act urges the federal government to study consent-based digital identity solutions. He pointed out the shortcomings of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which offers voluntary cybersecurity guidelines but lacks enforcement power. Foster proposed a regulatory body to oversee trusted electronic devices and software, ensuring digital IDs’ reliability, particularly given the risks if such technologies are hacked. He also highlighted concerns about privacy and the use of biometric facial recognition by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at airports, calling for an agency to verify the authenticity of privacy claims. Opposition exists in Congress over biometric data privacy and technology accuracy. The discussions reflect growing focus on securing digital identity amid advancing technology risks.