Digital ID

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Digital ID refers broadly to one's unique digital identifiers and online software systems that recognize them.

Digital ID is an extension of current physical ID documents such as driver’s licences, passports and bank cards.. Digital ID is a way to verify who we are online securely, in a manner that offers data protection and safeguards our personal information.

Purpose

Through the beginning of the twenty-first century, identity was typically affirmed by the use of paper or plastic cards, issued by third parties. In the United States, the Department of Motor Vehicles issues Driver Licenses, and other government identification cards. States may also issue ID cards of some form as well, such as welfare cards, gun permits, and fishing licenses. Organizations such as libraries, and membership-only clubs may issue identification cards as well. Additionally, independent companies may issue ID cards of a sort, such as insurance cards, gym membership cards, credit and debit cards, and other customer identification cards (for "rewards programs" and customer behavior tracking for marketing purposes). A digital ID system is designed to serve multiple purposes, eliminating the need for each separate identification card.
It also provides much greater control to a single authoritative party, rather than a diverse collection of entities, each for their own purposes. This could theoretically be useful in fighting crime. However, that same single authority can use their power for negative purposes as well. For example, an opponent of the politicians in power could suddenly find their digital ID has been revoked, meaning that they can no longer travel, buy food, earn money, or do much of anything else, all at once. The single ID authority would yield incredible power over its citizens, which some people see as a benefit and purpose of digital ID.